tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47105763876781222992017-06-21T19:46:31.216-07:00JulieChatsJulie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-30156031593497678632014-08-19T18:40:00.000-07:002014-08-19T18:40:13.327-07:00Core'dinations Design Team CallAsk me what my favorite cardstock is...Go ahead, ask! &nbsp;Well, that's easy! &nbsp;I really LOVE Core'dinations Cardstock! &nbsp;I love that it comes in a TON of colors! &nbsp;I love that it textured! &nbsp;But most of all, I LOVE THE COLOR CORE! &nbsp;I can tear this paper and see a coordinating color inside. &nbsp;I can also emboss and sand it too (or just sand, for a distressed look). &nbsp;And I can't forget my most favorite thing to do with Core'dinations papers is to cut them in my Silhouette Cameo digital die cut machine. &nbsp;All of their beautiful papers cut like butter in the Silhouette!<div><br /></div><div>All these reasons came to mind when I saw that Core'dinations is having a Design Team Call! &nbsp;I was recently chosen to be a part of the Craft Warehouse Design Team and I think that being a part of the Core'dinations team would be the perfect match for me. &nbsp;I use Core'dinations papers on almost all my scrapbook layouts and papercrafting projects. &nbsp;I can't imagine a project that wouldn't look a little nicer with some textured cardstock that has a fun colored core!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, here I go...Core'dinations asked to see three projects featuring their amazing papers. &nbsp;These projects are &nbsp;some that I think show you lots of options for using Core'dinations papers and ones I think you'll enjoy seeing. &nbsp;As always, I use a lot of color in my projects, along with some fun cuts from my Silhouette. &nbsp;I hope you like them!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSskRXjuzP8/U_PWhMGHpUI/AAAAAAAABgc/LLwkiZW7k3k/s1600/image%2B(42).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSskRXjuzP8/U_PWhMGHpUI/AAAAAAAABgc/LLwkiZW7k3k/s1600/image%2B(42).jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For this layout, the kids jumping in the pool reminded me of a clothesline.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=34693" target="_blank">Loads of Fun</a> die cut shape from Samantha Walker and altered it to fit my vision.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added the flower &amp; number 12 to the shirts and then I wanted to find a fun girls' swimsuit for</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my clothesline, I found the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=28999" target="_blank">Bikini</a> by Sarah Bailey. &nbsp;It was perfect with the addition of tiny holes for polka dots. &nbsp;I love the way the Silhouette Cameo cuts such intricate shapes into the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Core'dinations papers! &nbsp;Next, I used some tiny sanding tools to add a little texture to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my die cuts. &nbsp;Distressing my little clothes lets you see the coordinating color inside the textured</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cardstock and gives this layout that extra 'something'!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some close ups of this fun summer layout:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sk07EChVIc/U_PWgvTERgI/AAAAAAAABgY/rjJn4XV3NXg/s1600/image%2B(41).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sk07EChVIc/U_PWgvTERgI/AAAAAAAABgY/rjJn4XV3NXg/s1600/image%2B(41).jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ULnKINrvY/U_PWgtgKkyI/AAAAAAAABgg/m3M-_zdd3y0/s1600/image%2B(40).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ULnKINrvY/U_PWgtgKkyI/AAAAAAAABgg/m3M-_zdd3y0/s1600/image%2B(40).jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I want to share a card I made this week with my favorite collection from Core'dinations,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the Vintage Collection. &nbsp;I LOVE the Vintage Collection because you can see both colors of the paper in the texture without tearing or embossing it! &nbsp;The Vintage papers give every layout an added color and texture without me doing a thing! My most favorite of all the hundreds of Core'dinations papers is Kisses from the Vintage Collection. &nbsp;Kisses is the most perfect red for all my projects and, of course, its texture and colors give my projects and added depth I can't get with any other cardstock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But back to my project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this rainbow quote and the design of this card just popped right into my mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used my Silhouette Software to design my own rainbow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I can explain how I did this, just let me know if you're interested in a post on it in the comments!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut the entire rainbow out of each of the six yummy sheets of Core'dinations Vintage Collection papers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBvekx4wY4Y/U_PWjEcxiMI/AAAAAAAABg0/92HxiB-UVjs/s1600/image%2B(45).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBvekx4wY4Y/U_PWjEcxiMI/AAAAAAAABg0/92HxiB-UVjs/s1600/image%2B(45).jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I chose one of each color (in different sizes) and laid them together on my embossing folder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is from Lifestyle Crafts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6zwT1dyDAI/U_Pc2DW8PwI/AAAAAAAABhU/ZcftyyYl3aE/s1600/photo_1%2B(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6zwT1dyDAI/U_Pc2DW8PwI/AAAAAAAABhU/ZcftyyYl3aE/s1600/photo_1%2B(8).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwJQucv5zhM/U_Pc2Bw2YnI/AAAAAAAABhY/8jn8iI7LElQ/s1600/photo_3%2B(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwJQucv5zhM/U_Pc2Bw2YnI/AAAAAAAABhY/8jn8iI7LElQ/s1600/photo_3%2B(7).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After embossing the pieces, I used a sander to sand over the textured sections. &nbsp;In this photo, the red and purple pieces have been completely sanded, while the blue piece has only been sanded on the right half.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see how much the design 'jumps' out of the Core'dinations papers when they are sanded</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to reveal the inside core color of the paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this banner in my Silhouette library. &nbsp;I used a Silhouette Sketch Pen and my own handwriting font to print the quote onto my banner. &nbsp;Then, I cut the center of the banner. &nbsp;The paper for the center of the banner is from the Core'dinations Whitewash Collection, and is called Washboard.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut the ends of the banner from metallic gold paper to symbolize the gold at the end of the rainbow.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j46Ti-awLNI/U_Pc3W0Dg2I/AAAAAAAABhk/bYK8PjDCuaM/s1600/photo_4%2B(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j46Ti-awLNI/U_Pc3W0Dg2I/AAAAAAAABhk/bYK8PjDCuaM/s1600/photo_4%2B(5).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was very happy with the way the Silhouette Sketch Pens worked perfectly with the textured</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Core'dinations paper!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For my last project, I want to share a double page spread layout I created to showcase</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my daughter's birthday photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On this layout, I tore and sanded to reveal the coordinating bright colors inside the cardstock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the way this paper adds just a little extra flair to my page!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JSWf148XLQ/U_PWjZ7OVpI/AAAAAAAABg4/EjSjmpcC2pk/s1600/image%2B(44).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JSWf148XLQ/U_PWjZ7OVpI/AAAAAAAABg4/EjSjmpcC2pk/s1600/image%2B(44).jpeg" height="328" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Here are some close ups of the Core'dinations papers at work!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6hdecZaYfQ/U_PWibBGlxI/AAAAAAAABgw/lud2NZYtTW8/s1600/image%2B(43).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6hdecZaYfQ/U_PWibBGlxI/AAAAAAAABgw/lud2NZYtTW8/s1600/image%2B(43).jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed my projects featuring Core'dinations papers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also want to let you know that I'm in the middle of redesigning by blog and moving it over to juliechats.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of this should be finished by next week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stop over and LIKE my <a href="http://facebook.com/juliechats" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for last minute details in case this site is down and&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the new on isn't quite ready yet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-18117066034400609092014-08-08T10:51:00.001-07:002014-08-08T10:51:03.744-07:00Announcement: Craft Warehouse Design TeamHi everyone!<br /><br />I'm SO EXCITED to announce that I've been chosen to be a part of the Craft Warehouse 2014 Design Team! &nbsp;I'll be sharing my scrapbook creations soon on the <a href="http://shopcraftwarehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Craft Warehouse Blog</a>. &nbsp;I have all sorts of project photos that I've been waiting to post because I'm also moving my blog to <a href="http://juliechats.com/">JulieChats.com</a>. &nbsp;If you visit me at JulieChats.com, you'll be redirected here for the time being. &nbsp;I'm still figuring out all this website stuff. :) <br /><br />But for now, I wanted to share my news and say YIPPEE! &nbsp;I am SO HAPPY to be a part of such a great group and get a chance to share my creations with all of you! &nbsp;I'll be back next week with some fun projects! &nbsp;Please let me know if you have any specific questions or things you'd like to learn about scrapbooking and papercrafting. &nbsp;I'd be happy to return your comments and/or create a post to answer your questions.<br /><br />Here's a little about me: <br /><br />I've been creating scrapbooks for 21 years. &nbsp;(Not including my pseudo-SMASH books from the 80's!) &nbsp;I worked for my local scrapbook store for 8 years, doing marketing, social media, designing samples and make &amp; takes and teaching at workshops and events. &nbsp;It was such a great time and I love all the wonderful, crafty friends I've made over the years.<br /><br />Now, I'm ready to put my designs and creations out to a larger audience. &nbsp;And I'm really excited that you are a part of my new chapter. &nbsp;I hope you join me here on my blog (you might want to bookmark <a href="http://juliechats.com/">JulieChats.com</a>) over on my Instagram, where I've met tons of super creative people from all over the world, I'm @juliechatsblog over there. &nbsp;My blog also has a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JulieChats" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. &nbsp;OH, and if you're looking for more creative inspiration, head over and check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliechats/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> boards. &nbsp;I can't say enough about how much fun it is to find papercrafting projects and share them with you on Pinterest. &nbsp;I have 132 boards over there, but you'll probably be most interested in my Scrapbooking, Card Design Ideas, Project Life &amp; Pocket Style Scrapbooking boards. &nbsp;But you might also enjoy my Craft Studio Ideas, Craft Ideas &amp; Silhouette boards too! &nbsp;Just look around &amp; see which boards inspire you!<br /><br />It's SO NICE to meet you! &nbsp;I'm excited to share my projects with you and to see what you've been making too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YP50Y5OaLag/U-UMVVn4hUI/AAAAAAAABgA/OaqC4gXFa6g/s1600/1240283_10201908954951224_276500060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YP50Y5OaLag/U-UMVVn4hUI/AAAAAAAABgA/OaqC4gXFa6g/s1600/1240283_10201908954951224_276500060_n.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't wait to see what fun, crafty things are in store this year, as I join the Craft Warehouse Design Team!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z413QW2AOa8/U-ULhG5KApI/AAAAAAAABfw/G5MB1IbCyNQ/s1600/0001+Craftwarehouse+DesignTeamImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z413QW2AOa8/U-ULhG5KApI/AAAAAAAABfw/G5MB1IbCyNQ/s1600/0001+Craftwarehouse+DesignTeamImage.jpg" height="98" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be posting my projects and answering your questions here on my blog and over on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JulieChats" target="_blank">JulieChats Facebook page</a>!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkGNoDf6oys/U-UMIU0rrpI/AAAAAAAABf4/UoDTPbbw0SM/s1600/Project+Life+1st+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkGNoDf6oys/U-UMIU0rrpI/AAAAAAAABf4/UoDTPbbw0SM/s1600/Project+Life+1st+Page.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As soon as I finish last year's December Daily (Yep! &nbsp;10 days left!) I'll share it! &nbsp;It's one of my favorite mini albums ever!&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLESSzanqms/U-UMW7H1_BI/AAAAAAAABgI/4BhvoJPLXOQ/s1600/HS17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLESSzanqms/U-UMW7H1_BI/AAAAAAAABgI/4BhvoJPLXOQ/s1600/HS17.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See you soon on the <a href="http://shopcraftwarehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Craft Warehouse Blog</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">:) Julie</div><br />Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-75304120212835289522014-05-07T18:09:00.002-07:002014-05-07T18:36:43.616-07:00Quick Mother's Day Gift with Free Printables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1cBHXJWT7s/U2reMPjek8I/AAAAAAAABa8/aqFg537THoM/s1600/photo_1+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1cBHXJWT7s/U2reMPjek8I/AAAAAAAABa8/aqFg537THoM/s1600/photo_1+%25285%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />I don't know about you, but I always feel like I'm doing everything at the last minute! Too much to do, too little time...yada yada yada! Well, I sure don't have time to stop &amp; complain! &nbsp;I just need to find ways to get more done in less time! &nbsp;Last night &amp; today's issue was how to make my mom a Mother's Day card, wrap her gift, get the kids to make her something special AND get it all in the mail today! &nbsp;I'm like so many of you, I LOVE making personalized gifts and using my imagination to create something special for my loved ones. &nbsp;But that whole issue of too little time enters the picture way too often! &nbsp;I did make it to Costco to pick up my mom's gift, something she loved but didn't buy herself on her recent visit. &nbsp;No, I'm not saying what it is on the off chance she's reading this! So, I had the gift, which was good. &nbsp;But still, how do I squeeze in a post office visit into my Wednesday...it just wasn't in the cards! &nbsp;Then it came to me, at Christmas I was too late to do this (Yep, this lateness seems to be a theme for me recently!). &nbsp;The Post Office has a print online option for postage and thankfully, I had remembered to pick up some of those flat rate priority mail boxes on my last trip to the physical Post Office. &nbsp;So, a quick trip to the garage solved part of that problem. &nbsp;The medium box was the perfect size. &nbsp;Then I went online and printed out my prepaid label on <a href="https://www.usps.com/ship/ship-a-package.htm">usps.com</a>.<br /><br />Even though I was running short on time, I did find a quick minute to check Facebook. &nbsp;Yes, I'm sort of a procrastinator.... &nbsp;But this time, my Facebook visit actually saved me some time! &nbsp;Yes, I'll be telling my husband about this when he's back from his business trip because he swears Facebook is the biggest time sucker ever invented. &nbsp;But, I digress! &nbsp;There at the top of my news feed was a post from Kim over at Today's Creative Blog, she had a new free <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/mothers-day-printable-notecards/">Mother's Day printable</a> designed by Michelle from Elegance and Enchantment. &nbsp;And Michelle also had coordinating pieces for free on her <a href="http://www.eleganceandenchantment.com/mothers-day-printables-stickers-cards-gift-tags-and-place-cards/">blog</a>! &nbsp;Lifesavers those two! &nbsp;I grabbed some white cardstock and quickly set about printing one page of each Mother's Day printable. <br /><br />I only had time to get everything printed before I had to get kids to bed and work on one of my other business projects. &nbsp;I do a few freelance contract type jobs that I squeeze in between being a mom. &nbsp;So I got back to my Mother's Day project this morning before Jake's swimming lesson. &nbsp;I looked through my cardstock stash and found a nice dark green that complemented the printables and made a card out of it. &nbsp;I cut out the printable tags and note card and used them to decorate my card, with the addition of some coordinating printed papers and wood veneer pieces, sequins and twine as embellishment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SN8Kj7O0cNY/U2reN96gbRI/AAAAAAAABbU/i2k3k6EZNR0/s1600/photo_2+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SN8Kj7O0cNY/U2reN96gbRI/AAAAAAAABbU/i2k3k6EZNR0/s1600/photo_2+%25286%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxHzeWMiefs/U2reOWzQ78I/AAAAAAAABbY/2ja_rlrR2jI/s1600/photo_3+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxHzeWMiefs/U2reOWzQ78I/AAAAAAAABbY/2ja_rlrR2jI/s1600/photo_3+%25284%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />After Jake woke up, I had him fill out a cute Grandma printable that's free over on <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2014/04/mothers-day-printable/">30 Handmade Days</a>. &nbsp;He had a great time answering the questions about Grandma and drawing a picture of them together. &nbsp;He didn't have as much fun doing the writing and having to ask me how to spell words, but I really wanted it to be his handwriting she was reading with his comments. &nbsp;I rolled his photo and a letter that prints with it in some baker's twine for Grandma to open when she gets our package. &nbsp;My daughter, Delaney, had made Grandma a special card with a drawing on the front and a poem inside. &nbsp;My mom always loves seeing what her little artists come up with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oHWWrYOj0A/U2rZI3PnDTI/AAAAAAAABag/0jJqJsaKWYE/s1600/photo+(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oHWWrYOj0A/U2rZI3PnDTI/AAAAAAAABag/0jJqJsaKWYE/s1600/photo+(20).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iYHoG1sR0w/U2reMK2i4bI/AAAAAAAABbA/OtGitFTXY7I/s1600/photo_1+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iYHoG1sR0w/U2reMK2i4bI/AAAAAAAABbA/OtGitFTXY7I/s1600/photo_1+%25287%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Next, I wanted to wrap my present so it looks special inside the box when Mom opens it. &nbsp;I used kraft paper I picked up at The Container Store a couple weeks ago and taped it with pink washi tape. &nbsp;Then I combined pink &amp; yellow baker's twine with a medium garden twine for the ribbon. &nbsp;(I use garden twine in different sizes in tons of my projects. &nbsp;It's one of my very favorite go-to "ribbons".) &nbsp;I added a couple of the cute Mother's Day tags from Elegance and Enchantment to the twine and taped one to the package with a bright floral washi.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SDBjUsDfRM/U2reQyS_3CI/AAAAAAAABbs/3ANeF-5bp_I/s1600/photo_4+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SDBjUsDfRM/U2reQyS_3CI/AAAAAAAABbs/3ANeF-5bp_I/s1600/photo_4+%25284%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />With time running out before swimming lessons (the mailman comes while we are at the pool), I grabbed some white tissue paper and ran everything downstairs and started filling my box. &nbsp;I put the gift in first and then layered our other items between tissue. &nbsp;I added a couple of the printable tags, tied with baker's twine in between the layers and put my card on top. &nbsp;After it was perfect, I taped the box closed and added some of the printable circles to the outside of the box, so mom knows it's special the moment she picks it up at the Post Office.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMVOpu8OL4k/U2reMZEa1yI/AAAAAAAABbE/WvjtK2vG3LM/s1600/photo+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMVOpu8OL4k/U2reMZEa1yI/AAAAAAAABbE/WvjtK2vG3LM/s1600/photo+%252819%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ih5ml6oimY/U2reOcuMCBI/AAAAAAAABbc/tepGPH7Znro/s1600/photo_2+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ih5ml6oimY/U2reOcuMCBI/AAAAAAAABbc/tepGPH7Znro/s1600/photo_2+%25287%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />I shot some photos of everything and put the box out on my front step just before we had to leave for swimming. &nbsp;When we got home, it was gone! &nbsp;Off to Mom's house just in time for Mother's Day!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9beigwXJf1k/U2reQ3InwrI/AAAAAAAABbg/cMy3oltsUuI/s1600/photo_3+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9beigwXJf1k/U2reQ3InwrI/AAAAAAAABbg/cMy3oltsUuI/s1600/photo_3+(5).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />I hope you stop over and check out the printables on Kim's, Michelle's &amp; Mique's blog (there are tons, not just these!). &nbsp;Pin them to a special Printables board on Pinterest and next time, you're in a time crunch, you'll know just where to find what you need for that someone special. &nbsp;If you'd like to see some of the variety of printables that are out there, stop over on my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliechats/printables/">Printables Pinterest</a> board. &nbsp;I've got lots for you to check out. &nbsp;I also categorize my finds on the internet a bit differently than most people. &nbsp;I like to use monthly Pinterest boards to help me go back and find what I need in a particular month. &nbsp;My <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliechats/may-cinco-de-mayo-mothers-day-teacher-appreciation/">May Pinterest</a> board has pins for Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Teacher Appreciation...really anything I think I might need in May. &nbsp;I have boards for each month of they year, stop over and check them out when you get a chance.<br /><br />Hope you enjoyed my take on these beautiful free printables! &nbsp;Happy Mother's Day!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-51285888579672966472014-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:002014-04-29T11:25:21.082-07:00Inspired to CreateI love all sorts of quotes about Creativity! &nbsp;I've always considered myself a creative person and I believe EVERYONE can be CREATIVE! &nbsp;Through the years, I've worked with many people through my classes, workshops and quick make &amp; take sessions at the store and at vendor gatherings and trade shows. &nbsp;It never fails that some of these people say, "I'm not creative!" &nbsp;I do not agree! &nbsp;I think that creativity lives inside all of us. &nbsp;I admit that sometimes my creativity or need to create fads into the background. &nbsp;At the end of February, my dad passed away. &nbsp;Since then, I have had a hard time being inspired to create...even though I've had some projects with deadlines and a huge event at the store during this time. &nbsp;But, for those things, the creativity came to me more like I was a dentist pulling someone's teeth without anesthesia instead of blowing in like a warm summer breeze of inspiration. &nbsp;In the last week or so, I've been looking at some of my projects, and cruising Instagram &amp; Pinterest (you know..."just for a minute or two") :) (Hey, stop over and follow me there, I'm finding some AWESOME stuff! I'm <a href="http://instagram.com/juliechatsblog" target="_blank">@juliechatsblog</a> on Instagram and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliechats/" target="_blank">Julie Chats</a> on Pinterest.) &nbsp;But, I digress...somehow, for no apparent reason, my feelings of inspiration and creativity seem to be on the rise of late. &nbsp;You just never know what's coming next.<br /><br />Just as I was beginning to feel the need to create again, but wasn't ready to pick up the mess from that last bout of "forced creativity," &nbsp;I opened my email and found the sweetest note from someone who said, basically, "I hope you don't think I'm a craft stalker, but I've been checking your things out online and I'm impressed!" &nbsp;Nope, that isn't a stalker, it's another little step on my road to inspiration! &nbsp;After a few email chats with my new friend, Nancy, I was on the road across town, "halfway to the mountain," as I explained to Jake. &nbsp;To experience Nancy's craft heaven...it's really called <b><a href="http://domesticraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domesticraft</a></b>, but to me, just being there, hanging out for the afternoon, chatting about all things creative, with Nancy was such an inspiration. &nbsp;Nancy has turned a huge daylight basement space into, seriously, what I can only call CRAFTHEAVEN. &nbsp;Today, she has a sneak peek of the space and on May 1st, she's opening her version of heaven to crafters. &nbsp;Nancy has all sorts of creative workshops and events planned for May. &nbsp;She'll also be open so you can sign up to work on your own projects during her Open Studio times. &nbsp;You can find Nancy on Pinterest and Facebook too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHc-jflb4z8/U1_tjkcr9WI/AAAAAAAABXw/VhPn-wYXgx4/s1600/Image-1+(19).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHc-jflb4z8/U1_tjkcr9WI/AAAAAAAABXw/VhPn-wYXgx4/s1600/Image-1+(19).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-509YjSGn104/U1_tmdrgfBI/AAAAAAAABX4/G_AN98k_dok/s1600/001Domesticraft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-509YjSGn104/U1_tmdrgfBI/AAAAAAAABX4/G_AN98k_dok/s1600/001Domesticraft.JPG" height="240" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>I know all my friends on the east side of Portland will want to check out Domesticraft, it's off of Orient Road just outside of Gresham, on the way to the mountain, as I told Jake. &nbsp;It may be a little far for us "westsiders," but I promise you'll be inspired, just like I was, if you make the trip out to visit Nancy.<br /><br />Nancy &amp; I chatted about all things creative and shared our lastest projects yesterday. &nbsp;I could sit for days like this, getting inspired, especially in a place like this...packed with creative treasures, vintage antiques and more craft supplies than I have ever seen in one person's collection! &nbsp;Nancy has TONS of things you can use while you're working in her space...so many, I couldn't even hope to list them all! &nbsp;So, I hope you check out Domesticraft for yourself and escape to CRAFTHEAVEN!<br /><br />Let me know what you think! &nbsp;I can't wait to get back &amp; spend more time with Nancy! &nbsp;She's got a May schedule packed full of events and workshops that she'll be teaching. &nbsp;And, Nancy &amp; I are hoping to collaborate on some workshops in the future. &nbsp;I've got some big plans and can't wait to teach some fun workshops this year on both sides of town.Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-56643614803740491032014-02-17T17:13:00.000-08:002014-03-14T17:10:16.619-07:00Family Love Layout - Layout of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhsInKxoqC8/UwKmoK8YO9I/AAAAAAAABW4/rvJXcvrbB84/s1600/photo_1+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhsInKxoqC8/UwKmoK8YO9I/AAAAAAAABW4/rvJXcvrbB84/s1600/photo_1+(3).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This week I'm sharing another layout I created Plus Corp's CHA booth at the Winter 2014 show. &nbsp;When I saw the new Vintage Camera Decorative Roller Stamp from Plus Corp., I almost jumped up &amp; down! &nbsp;I LOVE anything with a camera on it! &nbsp;I immediately knew which paper I wanted to combine with this awesome stamp. &nbsp;The Camera Bag paper from October Afternoon's Travel Girl collection was the PERFECT paper to complement the camera stamp. &nbsp;Once I had the stamp and my paper, I headed to Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio (the LSS where I work here in Beaverton, Oregon). &nbsp;I knew that we would have some great solids to coordinate for my layout.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpA3UPIzI4k/UwKmqAiDgrI/AAAAAAAABXM/XAf3aHiI2ao/s1600/photo_4+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpA3UPIzI4k/UwKmqAiDgrI/AAAAAAAABXM/XAf3aHiI2ao/s1600/photo_4+(2).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I first started planning this layout, I didn't know which photo I would use, only that I just HAD to make a layout with this super cute camera stamp. &nbsp;I started to consider photos and realized that we had just had our family photos taken right before our Disneyland trip. &nbsp;I have a friend who is an AMAZING photographer and a teacher too (in her spare time...ha ha!) &nbsp;If you're in the Portland-Vancouver area, please consider her for your family and senior photos! Check out her website <a href="http://www.stacymajorphotography.com/" target="_blank">Stacy Major Photography</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZNWSgsdAHM/UwKmoUYlunI/AAAAAAAABXA/Zfv4EJ9r_Mo/s1600/photo_3+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZNWSgsdAHM/UwKmoUYlunI/AAAAAAAABXA/Zfv4EJ9r_Mo/s1600/photo_3+(2).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided to use my shiny silver metallic paper as the background and layer gray and aqua on top of it. &nbsp;I mounted my photo on a black matte and placed it on a horizontal strip of gray textured paper. &nbsp;Next, I rolled my Decorative Roller Stamp with its cute cameras across a piece of textured white cardstock from American Crafts. &nbsp;I really like the vintage look the textured cardstock gives to this stamp. &nbsp;What would normally be a solid black impression is distressed using textured paper. &nbsp;I worked at getting the stamp straight by laying my paper down next to a ruler and making every effort to roll my stamp perfectly along the ruler. &nbsp;I think it took about three tries to create a camera strip to my liking. &nbsp;And, just in case you have one of the Decorative Roller Stamps from Plus Corp. and are unhappy with the impressions you get at first, be sure to grab a piece of printer paper and roll the stamp around until your image is clear and perfect. &nbsp;The images on the stamps I used did not come out perfectly on the first try. &nbsp;Some black ink was printed in between the cameras and other images on the other stamps I used for my projects. &nbsp;After rolling them around on printer paper a few times, the images began to come out perfectly clear with no black ink in between. To create a focal point, I used a vertical strip of the camera paper behind my photo, tearing and distressing its edges by rolling them back &amp; forth between my fingers. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-qldUabp2M/UwKmoXoowhI/AAAAAAAABW8/v7L_EH_vDHQ/s1600/photo_2+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-qldUabp2M/UwKmoXoowhI/AAAAAAAABW8/v7L_EH_vDHQ/s1600/photo_2+(4).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even though we are wearing gray and white in our photos, I decided to print my photo in black &amp; white for this layout. &nbsp;I really love the look of black and white and it looked perfect with the palette of aqua, gray and silver I chose to go with my October Afternoon paper. &nbsp;I used my SMASH date stamp next to my photo, so we'll remember when we had this fun family photo shoot. &nbsp;After stacking and adhering my papers, I used my sewing machine to machine stitch aqua, gray and white thread in a combination of zig zag and straight stitches. &nbsp;I like the effect the stitching adds to my project, it coordinates with the vintage look of my camera stamps stamped on textured paper. &nbsp;It also contrasts with the shiny silver paper and bold sans serif &nbsp;Bebas font I used for my title. &nbsp;Last summer, it seemed like everyone on the internet was hashtag (#) crazy, so I thought it would be fun to use one of the hashtags I use on Instagram as my title. &nbsp;I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the title. &nbsp;#familylove is a hashtag I try to use on all my family photos, so I will be able to easily find them when I want to share them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btnxLeFn2Jg/UwKmqdvNg-I/AAAAAAAABXQ/EMjDVsPDVuI/s1600/photo_5+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btnxLeFn2Jg/UwKmqdvNg-I/AAAAAAAABXQ/EMjDVsPDVuI/s1600/photo_5+(2).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For embellishments, I chose a couple groupings of sequins and one tiny wood veneer camera from Studio Calico. &nbsp;I painted this camera just like the cameras I used in my Wood Veneer Camera Shadow Box blog post. &nbsp;I used pewter mist from Luminarte as paint, read about it in my <a href="http://juliechats.blogspot.com/2013/06/diy-shadow-box-with-studio-calico-wood.html" target="_blank">shadow box post</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was another fun chance to create with a brand new product. &nbsp;I have some more projects created for Plus Corp.'s booth at CHA and I'll share them soon! &nbsp;In case you missed last week's post, I shared my <a href="http://juliechats.blogspot.com/2014/02/say-cheese-disney-carsland-layout.html" target="_blank">Disney Carsland Layout</a> using another new roller stamp from Plus Corp and 2014 winter release stamps from Technique Tuesday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sharing this project over at&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/irish-recipes/#more-25686" target="_blank">The Link Party Palooza</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much fun over there, be sure to stop by &amp; check out all the great St. Patrick's Day &amp; Easter theme projects!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/link-party-palooza-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/link-party-palooza-banner.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-91936864085339812852014-02-12T17:27:00.000-08:002014-02-12T17:27:25.075-08:00"Say Cheese" Disney Carsland Layout - Layout of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7PmbIyGvdo/UvwT0PJNrzI/AAAAAAAABWo/ZgCJDzWA8AM/s1600/Disney+layout+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7PmbIyGvdo/UvwT0PJNrzI/AAAAAAAABWo/ZgCJDzWA8AM/s1600/Disney+layout+with+watermark.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few months ago, I was asked to create some layouts by Plus Corp. for the Winter 2014 CHA show. &nbsp;I was really excited to have a chance to work with Plus Corp's brand new Decorative Roller Stamps and Decorative Tapes. &nbsp;The stamps I used were so new, I had one of the only sets in the US to play with! &nbsp;Fun Fun! &nbsp;With 12 roller stamps and 12 decorative tapes to choose from, I just had to grab some recent photos and use my imagination to create some super fun projects. &nbsp;My very favorite project is this layout featuring a photo of our family with Lightning McQueen. &nbsp;Our August trip to Disneyland and California Adventure was AMAZING! &nbsp;And I was SO happy that I purchased the Disney Photo Pass CD full of our trip photos. &nbsp;Knowing ahead of time that I would probably want to buy the CD, I was sure to have our photo taken by the Disney photographers every chance we got! &nbsp;I love the CD and all of our photos, but I do wish that there were more photographers and photographers with every character we met. &nbsp;It was strange that our photos with Mickey &amp; Minnie in Toon Town had to be taken on our cameras. &nbsp;It would have been nice to have professional ones with these characters. &nbsp;But, all in all, I was very impressed with the quality of the photos and excited at the opportunity to reprint my photos many times, in any size I want!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0hISOpfTCA/UvwTyMDM2YI/AAAAAAAABWU/DOmYm2EOvD8/s1600/Disney+layout+from+right+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0hISOpfTCA/UvwTyMDM2YI/AAAAAAAABWU/DOmYm2EOvD8/s1600/Disney+layout+from+right+with+watermark.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This photo is from our very first day in the theme parks. &nbsp;My little guy, Jake, has always been obsessed with the Cars movies and their characters, so of course, Lightning McQueen was at the top of his list of characters to meet. &nbsp;To this day, he still tells everyone who will listen that Lightning McQueen lives in Disneyland and that he met him! &nbsp;Such a fun memory! &nbsp;We had just about every photo shot with our whole family and then again with just the kids. &nbsp;I wanted as much versatility as I could get for my projects later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For this layout, I looked to the photo for my color palette. &nbsp;Bright red, electric yellow and black are classic Disney colors and help me show off Lightning too! &nbsp;Putting them on a white background helps them jump off the page! &nbsp;Textured white cardstock from American Crafts is my go-to white paper, it's a perfectly bright white and cuts like butter on my Silhouette Cameo. &nbsp;To give my white background a more custom look, I used a paint brush to splatter acrylic paint onto the paper. &nbsp;The black &amp; yellow paints are regular acrylic from Kaisercraft, but the red is DecoArt Ultra Gloss Acrylic Enamel (usually used for painting glass). &nbsp;I love how the red splotches are SO shiny! &nbsp;I looked through my stash and the local scrapbook store where I work to come up with supplies for my layout. &nbsp;Polka dots always make me think of Minnie and Disney, so I choose some polka dot elements in my color palette and grabbed my Mickey outline punch and Disney castle punch (I bought those years ago in Disneyland).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFZ6Dyjm0q0/UvwTzSyWMtI/AAAAAAAABWk/of2igX-09Gw/s1600/Disney+layout+right+side+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFZ6Dyjm0q0/UvwTzSyWMtI/AAAAAAAABWk/of2igX-09Gw/s1600/Disney+layout+right+side+with+watermark.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I arranged my elements on the page and balanced them out with another little cluster down in the bottom right corner with a little tag &amp; some washi and a castle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV6zEtvr42g/UvwTyCDcRkI/AAAAAAAABWg/boOJ1KpgUSA/s1600/Disney+layout+right+side+detail+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV6zEtvr42g/UvwTyCDcRkI/AAAAAAAABWg/boOJ1KpgUSA/s1600/Disney+layout+right+side+detail+with+watermark.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new black honeycomb roller stamp from Plus Corp. was the perfect thing to mimic tire treads going across my page. &nbsp;I used colored pencil to few in a few hexagons here &amp; there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tk80abkfqqQ/UvwTyGecBjI/AAAAAAAABWY/hYatlgtCFfA/s1600/Disney+layout+left+side+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tk80abkfqqQ/UvwTyGecBjI/AAAAAAAABWY/hYatlgtCFfA/s1600/Disney+layout+left+side+detail.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For my title, I used the brand new "Say Cheese" stamp set from Technique Tuesday. &nbsp;I stamped "cheese" with Versamark ink and embossed it in glossy red. &nbsp;I used a couple of the hashtag word stamps from the set around my page, stamping them onto tags I cut on my Silhouette Cameo. &nbsp;I inked the top tag in red before stamping it to help it stand out from my page.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is one of my favorite layouts ever! &nbsp;It was fun working with the new roller stamps from Plus Corp., along with the 2014 "Say Cheese" stamp set from Technique Tuesday too! &nbsp;Stay tuned to this blog next when I share another Plus Corp. CHA sample!</div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-52763945691689501212014-02-08T18:15:00.004-08:002014-02-08T18:15:51.294-08:00York Peppermint Pattie Snow Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is our third day of snow here in Portland, Oregon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We don't get a lot of snow here, so the 8 inches I have in my yard is a TON of snow for us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have done all the typical stuff that we usually head to the mountains for...sledding, CHECK...snowball fight, CHECK...build snowman, CHECK...put the car in 4 wheel drive and see if it's really that slippery out there, CHECK...after 3 days, we were sort of running out of things to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I saw a recipe a friend of mine posted on Facebook for snow ice cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't remember seeing this before, so we were all pretty excited to try it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The recipe called for snow, milk, sugar and vanilla.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thinking we might be running low on milk and seeing freezing rain in the forecast, I decided to go my own way and make up my own snow ice cream recipe. &nbsp;I used International Delight's York Peppermint Pattie Coffee Creamer to flavor my ice cream. &nbsp;My husband, kids &amp; I LOVED it and we can't wait to make it again! &nbsp;Maybe we'll try it tomorrow, although we'll have to break off the piece of ice on top of our snow (the freezing rain is clinking against the windows now). &nbsp;After that, it may be another five years before we get this much snow again, so we have to enjoy it while it lasts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNLwaTxTye4/Uvberab6bQI/AAAAAAAABV4/gQu3aO7pMws/s1600/Image-1+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNLwaTxTye4/Uvberab6bQI/AAAAAAAABV4/gQu3aO7pMws/s1600/Image-1+(18).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">York Peppermint Pattie Snow Ice Cream</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8 Cups Snow</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Cup International Delight Peppermint Pattie Coffee Creamer</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Cup Milk</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/3 Cup Sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tsp Vanilla</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scoop the snow into a large bowl, top with other ingredients, stir and enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As, I think of all the other wonderful flavors of International Delight Coffee Creamer, I would imagine they would all taste wonderful substituted in this recipe. &nbsp;I'd love to try the Cold Stone Creamery Sweet Cream and Heath. &nbsp;I'm sure you have your favorites! &nbsp;I'd love to hear which ones you use to make your own Snow Ice Cream! &nbsp;Leave me a comment!<br /><br /><br />Don't forget to stop by my friend Kim's link party for<br />all sorts of inspiration... Winter, Snow, Valentine &amp; otherwise!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/link-party-palooza-banner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/link-party-palooza-26/" target="_blank">Find it over at Today's Creative Blog</a></td></tr><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-87599241702823122272014-01-28T14:07:00.000-08:002014-02-07T18:43:10.566-08:00DIY Lego Valentine Hearts to Exchange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geNIoJ55bOY/Uugo5CuasbI/AAAAAAAABVo/IwXVjBkkBSc/s1600/Image-1+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geNIoJ55bOY/Uugo5CuasbI/AAAAAAAABVo/IwXVjBkkBSc/s1600/Image-1+%252815%2529.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Jake will be six this week and he's obsessed with Lego's. &nbsp;While helping him put sort his pieces the other day, I had a thought that it would be cool to go non-traditional for class Valentines this year. &nbsp; &nbsp;It's funny how I sometimes get these bright ideas without actually realizing a million people have probably had this idea before. &nbsp;Wouldn't it be cool to make little hearts out of Legos for the kids in Jake's kindergarten class?!?! &nbsp;Of course, I tried to make one from scratch and shockingly, I am not the best Lego creator ever! &nbsp;So, I went to my trusty Google, where I realized quite a few people have gone before me in this quest. &nbsp;I found a few ideas and after trying them decided on this <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Lego-Heart/" target="_blank">pattern from instructables.com</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yufit9lzVH4/UucATRGVGCI/AAAAAAAABUU/jxs5Lxw0elU/s1600/00FFDX91LG4PC3IJE.MEDIUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yufit9lzVH4/UucATRGVGCI/AAAAAAAABUU/jxs5Lxw0elU/s1600/00FFDX91LG4PC3IJE.MEDIUM.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jake wanted to help, so we sorted through his red Legos and didn't have enough to make the entire heart red, so a few of our pieces were white. &nbsp;We liked the shape and the combination of colors, so we decided to make them for Jake's class and a couple other friends. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lALh3cm4p8U/UucHevxUNRI/AAAAAAAABUo/wf0Ag1mLy9A/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lALh3cm4p8U/UucHevxUNRI/AAAAAAAABUo/wf0Ag1mLy9A/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Then my daughter Delaney &amp; I made a quick trip to the mall. &nbsp;Having a Lego store with a "fill your bucket" area was super cool for this project. &nbsp;You pick a large or small container (They probably measure about a 16 oz for a large cup and 8 oz for a small cup, but don't quote me on that! Price is about $7.50 for the small and $14 for the large.). &nbsp;Then fill your cup with bricks of all sizes &amp; colors from bins that cover the back wall of the store. &nbsp;The employees are super helpful and shake your container or rearrange the bricks for you, so you can fit a couple more. &nbsp;The trick is to put in a few large bricks and fill the wholes with little ones. &nbsp;We counted the pieces in our sample and then chose red &amp; white bricks to create that shape. &nbsp;We did end up with different bricks because of what was available in our store, but the final product will be the exact same shape. &nbsp;We are making 22 Lego hearts, after a 50 cent deposit credit for reusing one of our own containers and putting a $5 credit from my Lego VIP card toward the purchase, our total ended up being around 70 cents each. &nbsp;If you don't have a Lego store near you, I did check the Lego website and found that you can order individual bricks <a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Pick-A-Brick-11998?fromListing=listing" target="_blank">HERE</a>. &nbsp;I am not sure exactly which bricks are available or how much the little hearts would cost doing it this way, but it looks like a good option. &nbsp;There are 157 pages of individual bricks to explore and you can narrow that number by entering information such as category and color.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdb5AlJzvyw/UucFFGgCK6I/AAAAAAAABUg/MBzJeuPbDmI/s1600/photo+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdb5AlJzvyw/UucFFGgCK6I/AAAAAAAABUg/MBzJeuPbDmI/s1600/photo+(16).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After making some of the hearts, I looked around the internet and ended up combining a few of the ideas I found and adding a little touch of my own. &nbsp;I searched for free Lego clip art and came up with some fun little <a href="http://blueflombingo.com/fudge/2011/09/did-somebody-say-lego/" target="_blank">minifigure faces</a> and a <a href="http://bestclipartblog.com/26-lego-clip-art.html/Lego-clip-art-1" target="_blank">stack of bricks</a>. &nbsp;Being a self confessed hoarder of fonts, I searched for a Lego font and came up with <a href="http://www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/Legothick.htm" target="_blank">Legothick</a> from Urbanfonts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5074cxthKw/UucKKcApXpI/AAAAAAAABU0/8qIhtFA1Mgg/s1600/lego-heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5074cxthKw/UucKKcApXpI/AAAAAAAABU0/8qIhtFA1Mgg/s1600/lego-heads.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I used my trusty Photoshop Elements to come up with my design for the tags and some cellophane bags I use for my custom Project Life cards. &nbsp;And we're all ready for Valentine's Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwexvkNu_nQ/UucXNN2ZsUI/AAAAAAAABVE/YzGoJDqQ0qw/s1600/Lego+Valentine+Tags+Creatively+Custom+2014.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I had planned on using the same little minifigure head on all four of my tags but then I came across the cute little girl with the eyelashes &amp; red lips and couldn't pass it up. &nbsp;So the little girls will get a girl and the boys will get the little smiling face. &nbsp;Jake loved the one with the sunglasses, so I put that one next to his name on all the tags. &nbsp;Download the FREE printable tags for your Lego Valentines<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/202944307/Lego-Valentine-Printable-Creatively-Custom-2014" target="_blank"> HERE</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTRIxFRzoDs/Uugo5PzTVSI/AAAAAAAABVk/46zGN9ITYmM/s1600/photo_1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTRIxFRzoDs/Uugo5PzTVSI/AAAAAAAABVk/46zGN9ITYmM/s1600/photo_1+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Don't worry, if you're in a hurry or can't find the bricks to create the hearts for your Valentines. &nbsp;This idea works just as well with a little bag filled with&nbsp;miscellaneous&nbsp;bricks. &nbsp;Buy a bin at Target or just grab some from your kids' stash...chances are they won't miss a few (maybe...)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXjcnbzzPSg/Uugo5FvJCiI/AAAAAAAABVg/8zDlm3OV770/s1600/photo_2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXjcnbzzPSg/Uugo5FvJCiI/AAAAAAAABVg/8zDlm3OV770/s1600/photo_2+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out this post and tons of other great Valentine ideas over on InspirationDIY.com:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://inspirationdiy.com/" title="Inspiration DIY Blog"><img alt="Inspiration DIY" src="http://inspirationdiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/button_cut.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Inspiration DIY" width="175" /></a><br /><br />And, of course, don't forget to stop by my friend Kim's link party for<br />all sorts of inspiration...Valentine &amp; otherwise!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/link-party-palooza-banner.jpg" height="183" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/link-party-palooza-26/" target="_blank">Find it over at Today's Creative Blog</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-48667022292865434962014-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-14T10:59:55.445-08:00December Daily 2013 with the Heidi Swapp Believe Memory File Album Days 6-15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JNr5ErEiHw/UtTYTDpdcpI/AAAAAAAABQE/LEnPXDUci5c/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JNr5ErEiHw/UtTYTDpdcpI/AAAAAAAABQE/LEnPXDUci5c/s320/IMG_2358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As always, for me, creativity is messy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got to work catching up on my December Daily today. &nbsp;I have all the photos edited and uploaded and most are printed. &nbsp;All but a couple journal cards are written on. &nbsp;Pretty good, since I'll be sharing my 2012 December Daily soon (just finished it in December 2013). &nbsp;So, you see why I'm so happy with how much I have done this year! &nbsp;I keep my supplies in a couple little bins and a ziplock bag. &nbsp;I chose everything to match my Believe collection from Heidi Swapp...red, lime-ish green, black, white, and some gold &amp; silver thrown in for good measure...stamps, ink, ribbon, twine, stickers, washi, whatever I could find in those colors went into the little containers or baggie. &nbsp;Then I knew it wouldn't be too difficult to throw together a few pages when I had time. &nbsp;Of course, my time didn't free up until the second week in January. &nbsp;But, I think that's how it is for a lot of us. &nbsp;We're so busy with family, friends, parties, making gifts, cleaning house, etc. during the holidays that these projects can easily get tossed into that box of 1/2 finished projects. &nbsp;I did really try to keep up on the photos this year though, so at least I'd have the photos to go by when the time came around. &nbsp;So, here's what I have for days 6-15. I get to work on the rest and be back to share soon!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D81sJta4VaA/UtTYTRzFF2I/AAAAAAAABQA/DqLzRFNeLuo/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D81sJta4VaA/UtTYTRzFF2I/AAAAAAAABQA/DqLzRFNeLuo/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zF11AZf4PY/UtTYTMviGrI/AAAAAAAABP8/YEKd7d74SXE/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zF11AZf4PY/UtTYTMviGrI/AAAAAAAABP8/YEKd7d74SXE/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm continuing to use the cute little countdown cards that Heidi posted FREE on her blog this year as overlays, printed on vellum, topping my Technique Tuesday Story cards. I love seeing all the Christmas prettiness on my pages before seeing the handwritten cards. And maybe people will have to stop &amp; look around a bit before they find the journaling.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elk_BFcJ0yo/UtTYUKPObnI/AAAAAAAABQI/qQMOYXBhPsk/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elk_BFcJ0yo/UtTYUKPObnI/AAAAAAAABQI/qQMOYXBhPsk/s320/IMG_2361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk4zlJ0iKx8/UtTYUgUUvfI/AAAAAAAABQU/wl3HHZHrx2o/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk4zlJ0iKx8/UtTYUgUUvfI/AAAAAAAABQU/wl3HHZHrx2o/s320/IMG_2362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added a cute little word grain tag to this one! And I love the die cut, so my photo from Day 7 can peek through.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJKpsiGhCF0/UtTYUgVRB_I/AAAAAAAABQc/8R6GL_3p6zk/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJKpsiGhCF0/UtTYUgVRB_I/AAAAAAAABQc/8R6GL_3p6zk/s320/IMG_2363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE4rnGRvAdY/UtTYVITqnYI/AAAAAAAABQk/EPM-WVHZaxw/s1600/IMG_2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE4rnGRvAdY/UtTYVITqnYI/AAAAAAAABQk/EPM-WVHZaxw/s320/IMG_2364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 7th was a fun day! My daughter, Delaney, teaches a monthly kids class at the scrapbook store where I work, here in Beaverton, Oregon. She has a great time! Then after, we snuck out for some Christmas shopping &amp; lunch, just us girls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFwR_LcVfMQ/UtTYVnuFL9I/AAAAAAAABQo/6bXeBcK3Y9Q/s1600/IMG_2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFwR_LcVfMQ/UtTYVnuFL9I/AAAAAAAABQo/6bXeBcK3Y9Q/s320/IMG_2365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added some sequins and silver ink to give this page a little flair. I attach my sequins with mini glue dots. Wet glue might work too, but I design these pages quickly &amp; move on to the next...no time for glue to dry.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri8d1iGgEPQ/UtTYVkmpbQI/AAAAAAAABQ0/pini-Nm3cII/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri8d1iGgEPQ/UtTYVkmpbQI/AAAAAAAABQ0/pini-Nm3cII/s320/IMG_2366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm having fun using Heidi's little ephemera pack in this album! &nbsp;It's SO nice to have all my embellishments ready &amp; waiting in a little baggy! I poured all the ephemera into a baggy and separated the black number stars, just so it's easier to find the number I need for each page without going through the entire bag!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fofYMHLeKc/UtTYWUtJHoI/AAAAAAAABQ8/U7DfTfGiBhA/s1600/IMG_2367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fofYMHLeKc/UtTYWUtJHoI/AAAAAAAABQ8/U7DfTfGiBhA/s320/IMG_2367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tOOZZualQ/UtTYWj_dijI/AAAAAAAABRE/p4g4_5h2szI/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tOOZZualQ/UtTYWj_dijI/AAAAAAAABRE/p4g4_5h2szI/s320/IMG_2368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What goes with December more than a blinking Rudolph nose...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--I5G7mXGD54/UtTYW0Ub6gI/AAAAAAAABRI/B2t9EJTfDC4/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--I5G7mXGD54/UtTYW0Ub6gI/AAAAAAAABRI/B2t9EJTfDC4/s320/IMG_2369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or a neon green wig!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the main embellishment on this page, I used one of Heidi's Freebie tags I had printed from last year. I trimmed it and adhered it to my very favorite red...Kisses from the Vintage Collection by Core'dinations. Then I left a little border and trimmed around the tag. Kisses matches tons of reds from many designers and adds just the right amount of texture to my projects even without sanding or tearing it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q8-TOHj-G0/UtTYXe1UTZI/AAAAAAAABRU/KgF2E4x-2f4/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q8-TOHj-G0/UtTYXe1UTZI/AAAAAAAABRU/KgF2E4x-2f4/s320/IMG_2370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had the tiniest dusting of snow late at night on the ninety...it just so happens that was the week Delaney's dance studio was holding secret practices until 10pm every night for flash mob at Zoo Lights Saturday night. So, she had to make a barely visible snow angel in the driveway before going to bed with her clothes on inside out while praying for a snow day!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUoktMlyG74/UtTYXiT13nI/AAAAAAAABRY/ixJ5G6n_JBE/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUoktMlyG74/UtTYXiT13nI/AAAAAAAABRY/ixJ5G6n_JBE/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This cute little tag in the middle of the book was perfect for a little pile of ephemera &amp; embellishments!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3sXYtaLVg/UtTYYM-4klI/AAAAAAAABRk/MdeXn6vxw4w/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3sXYtaLVg/UtTYYM-4klI/AAAAAAAABRk/MdeXn6vxw4w/s320/IMG_2372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the back of the tag, I chose a little vellum sentiment and a couple puffy silver stars. The stars are from a yard of trim I bought at a local fabric store. (Mill End, if you're looking in the Portland area.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iakxlj0xwBg/UtTYYduETII/AAAAAAAABRs/lO23l-OQZgE/s1600/IMG_2373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iakxlj0xwBg/UtTYYduETII/AAAAAAAABRs/lO23l-OQZgE/s320/IMG_2373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was super excited about this bracket page with the little window for Day 10.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I hadn't used any garden type twine yet, I added some here in a little pile, under my acrylic "joy" piece from the ephemera pack. I think it's a little unexpected to mix such a slick, shiny, clear piece with a tangled pile of twine...that's why I LOVE it!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-J8K1_77Ik/UtTYYq0fyYI/AAAAAAAABRw/odm0oXCCipk/s1600/IMG_2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-J8K1_77Ik/UtTYYq0fyYI/AAAAAAAABRw/odm0oXCCipk/s320/IMG_2374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxkqWh9_J8w/UtTYZK1a92I/AAAAAAAABR4/1425Mus4Tio/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxkqWh9_J8w/UtTYZK1a92I/AAAAAAAABR4/1425Mus4Tio/s320/IMG_2375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you open the little flap, you find some fun photos &amp; my journaling card with its Countdown topper for Day 10.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVcAyrztJeE/UtTYZ-9UYII/AAAAAAAABSM/ggt4iwjZItQ/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVcAyrztJeE/UtTYZ-9UYII/AAAAAAAABSM/ggt4iwjZItQ/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMCmbvSt1HE/UtTYaGvC6OI/AAAAAAAABSI/z3Qy6UMovUw/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMCmbvSt1HE/UtTYaGvC6OI/AAAAAAAABSI/z3Qy6UMovUw/s320/IMG_2377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDd-LLCJgvw/UtTYaDGL0LI/AAAAAAAABSU/YiE91JMkaMU/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDd-LLCJgvw/UtTYaDGL0LI/AAAAAAAABSU/YiE91JMkaMU/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 11 has a fun little stack of photos...a selfie...trying to get myself in my albums...a photo of our backyard on this cold, icy and SUNNY day! Plus, a shot of my Christmas mantel. &nbsp;Each day I'm including photos from the #heidiholidayfotofind. This is a little photo scavenger hunt, where we had a different theme each day and posted our photos on Instagram everyday. Today's clue was #wrapping paper. This year, I covered the frames on the wall above my mantel with kraft wrapping paper. I borrowed this idea from a friend who's a Super Star decorator!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEBequrNu6s/UtTYa8zB8vI/AAAAAAAABSY/t83jRb1moDI/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEBequrNu6s/UtTYa8zB8vI/AAAAAAAABSY/t83jRb1moDI/s320/IMG_2380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the next little tag, I added some really old ribbon and a little piece of ephemera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ALWAYS keep ribbon. Ribbon from packages, gifts, store packaging...anywhere really. I have two wire farm baskets on the wall above my desk in my studio. I just toss whatever I find in there &amp; dig around whenever a project comes up. I almost always have a ribbon that will work for my project!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDgxZ4B6j9g/UtTYbAx1vXI/AAAAAAAABSg/F3EW_QmeDdc/s1600/IMG_2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDgxZ4B6j9g/UtTYbAx1vXI/AAAAAAAABSg/F3EW_QmeDdc/s320/IMG_2381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the backside of the little tag, I placed my journal card &amp; overlay.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAQdk4ei5YY/UtTYbTAOKWI/AAAAAAAABSs/G5PDL3NIqCk/s1600/IMG_2382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAQdk4ei5YY/UtTYbTAOKWI/AAAAAAAABSs/G5PDL3NIqCk/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Somehow I only had a couple photos for this day...and my kid are perfect examples of the Heidi foto find...#naughtyornice. You'll see I'm using a lot of washi in this album. This is a concerted effort to use some of those rolls I've been collecting.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKohjg6IU64/UtTYb1YhCrI/AAAAAAAABS0/3eygRS7nzLU/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKohjg6IU64/UtTYb1YhCrI/AAAAAAAABS0/3eygRS7nzLU/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ4TMOU3P24/UtTYcDS56JI/AAAAAAAABS8/nTC7Of_tNQ8/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ4TMOU3P24/UtTYcDS56JI/AAAAAAAABS8/nTC7Of_tNQ8/s320/IMG_2384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This page has some stamps from the Technique Tuesday Ali Edwards December Daily collection from 2012 and also some of her new flair, just for Christ.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpt339cuz_s/UtTYcmk-pZI/AAAAAAAABTA/MDTbmPiOgy0/s1600/IMG_2385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpt339cuz_s/UtTYcmk-pZI/AAAAAAAABTA/MDTbmPiOgy0/s320/IMG_2385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In addition to the Ali stamps, I have a cute little tags from Chic Tags here too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a little tip...that tag is covering a stamp that didn't come out perfectly the first time! Don't forget, you're tiny tags are perfect for occasions like this! Don't forget...there are no mistakes, just opportunities to improve your project!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a busy day...our 5 store tour, Passport to Creativity's holiday party was on the 14th and I had to leave early to get Delaney and some of her friends to the zoo in time for the flash mob proposal they were dancing in! Oh and Dave took Jake to watch a Duck basketball game at the arose Garden, the rode Max &amp; got to see the tree at Pioneer Square too!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UBh-iO6jw0/UtTYdHJATGI/AAAAAAAABTM/6WMHiVrgaTg/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UBh-iO6jw0/UtTYdHJATGI/AAAAAAAABTM/6WMHiVrgaTg/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NThjlaCMy1E/UtTYdpCypOI/AAAAAAAABTc/AbGvWw5nPAk/s1600/IMG_2389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NThjlaCMy1E/UtTYdpCypOI/AAAAAAAABTc/AbGvWw5nPAk/s320/IMG_2389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a super festive digi scrap kit from The Daily Digi's November collection to create this flier that was also printed as a poster.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yL40NLJoZo/UtTYeFIGIYI/AAAAAAAABTg/dhawu_OMwcg/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yL40NLJoZo/UtTYeFIGIYI/AAAAAAAABTg/dhawu_OMwcg/s320/IMG_2391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgcGej7_gDQ/UtTYetmTscI/AAAAAAAABTs/mtbBpP5Myd4/s1600/IMG_2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgcGej7_gDQ/UtTYetmTscI/AAAAAAAABTs/mtbBpP5Myd4/s320/IMG_2392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tS4xZs_T428/UtTYe2zMfEI/AAAAAAAABTw/C5ffzOt7zk0/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tS4xZs_T428/UtTYe2zMfEI/AAAAAAAABTw/C5ffzOt7zk0/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stamped some solid red Target washi with black Stayz On ink and some little stars from the 2013 Project Life class at Studio Calico.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J58--R_CtSI/UtTYfGvIQEI/AAAAAAAABT8/XPB1Zq6VY_g/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J58--R_CtSI/UtTYfGvIQEI/AAAAAAAABT8/XPB1Zq6VY_g/s320/IMG_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a change of pace, I hung this photo off the edge, just so you'd see the kids faces as you looked at a few pages before this one. I added a little green tab with ribbon &amp; my trusty stapler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Small projects like this are some of my favorites!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the feeling of accomplishment I feel when I actually FINISH a project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, don't just look at this album as exclusively for December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You could put together a small album for all sorts of occasions...trips, anniversaries, birthdays, family, friends. The possibilities are endless, just be sure to limit your color palette and gather just a few embellishments in that palette and you're ready to add them to a small album, along with a few sheets of coordinating paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time, don't forget to #makeityourown!</div><br />Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0Portland, OR, USA45.5234515 -122.676207145.1675755 -123.3216541 45.8793275 -122.0307601tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-31188906594265981022013-12-09T17:48:00.001-08:002013-12-09T17:48:35.992-08:00December Daily 2013 with the Heidi Swapp Believe Memory File Album<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm SO excited about Christmas this year! &nbsp;And a big part of that excitement is about my December Daily album. &nbsp;The December Daily album process was conceived by the talented scrapbook designer, Ali Edwards. &nbsp;I'm a huge fan of Ali's memory keeping and love the idea of documenting each day during December leading up to Christmas. &nbsp;Last year, I gave this process a try and quickly got off track. &nbsp;I am horrible at the journaling part of my scrapbooks and December Daily 2012 was no different...in fact, I'm confessing to you now that I just finished the journaling for my 2012 DD this week (yes, in December of 2013...). &nbsp;OH, well, I guess it's just good that I finally finished that project. &nbsp;I'll share it in the next week or so, as I am very happy with that album and its design. &nbsp;In 2012, I kept my DD very very minimalistic and this year, I've gone crazy with fun holiday embellishments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, I chose the beautiful Believe Memory File Album from Heidi Swapp. &nbsp;This album is perfect for my love of mixing patterns and page types in my mini albums! &nbsp;The album comes bound and filled with all sorts of shapes and materials for it's pages. &nbsp;Pages include patterned paper and acrylic in several shapes including banners, tags, brackets, pages with die cut frames and so much more! &nbsp;At first, I thought I would take the album apart and reorder the pages. &nbsp;But, in an effort to stay simple, I left the album "as is" and I am SO happy I did. &nbsp;The album is perfect, so why waste time rearranging that I could spend embellishing! &nbsp;My only purchases for this DD were the Memory File Album and a pack of Believe ephemera. &nbsp;I gathered all my green, red, black &amp; white, "holiday-ish" embellishments...ribbon, twine, die cuts, stickers, tags, washi, my stapler and my Story Card Dies &amp; stamps from Technique Tuesday. &nbsp;I am adhering my photos in a few ways this year, washi, staples and of course, adhesive. &nbsp;All my adhesives are from Plus Corp. &nbsp;I love how easy their dispensers are to use and that they have economical refills. &nbsp;I use permanent adhesive. &nbsp;I find that you can lift and rearrange your items, even with the permanent adhesive, if you move quickly. &nbsp;I have the permanent tape and dots from Plus in two widths, this makes it simple to adhere both large and small pieces, quickly. &nbsp;I put everything in a couple small containers and leave them on the kitchen counter, so I can pull together a page quickly and move on to the next day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a note about my photos. &nbsp;I shoot all my photos for this project with either my Android phone or my iPad. &nbsp;At the end of the day, when I find the photos I want to include, I edit them in the Rhonna Designs App. &nbsp;(I use the app on my iPad, so I email my phone photos, so I can access them on my iPad for editing.) I love square photos, so almost all my photos are square. &nbsp;I sometimes add some of Rhonna's clip art to my photos, usually 2 or 3 for each day. &nbsp;For one photo, I have been adding a white square and some type to show the date in this format 12.three.2013. &nbsp;I just like how that looked and I like having the writing on my photos. &nbsp;I have kept the square and white type to have some consistency to each day in my album. &nbsp;I also share all my photos on Instagram. &nbsp;It's a super fun way to meet other scrapbookers and photo lovers. &nbsp;My Instagram name is @juliechatsblog in case you want to check out my photos. &nbsp;I also found a fun contest that Heidi Swapp is having during December this year. &nbsp;The contest is called #heidiholidayfotofind &nbsp;She is giving out a "clue" for each day's photos. &nbsp;You shoot a photo with the clue/theme for the day and use that to hashtag your photo when you put it on Instagram (a hashtag is just the number sign (#) in front of the word, no spaces, so people can search to see other photos with the same hashtag). &nbsp;It's fun to join in this game (Heidi is also giving away cool prizes!) and meet other's participating each day. &nbsp;I am printing my photos at home, so I can stay as caught up as possible. &nbsp;I lay my photos out in Microsoft Publisher. &nbsp;Publisher makes it easy to put guidelines in and line up my photos, so they are the same size from day to day. &nbsp;I print my photos on my HP7650, using matte 8 1/2 x 11 photo paper from Staples. &nbsp;Usually two or three days worth of photos fit on one sheet. &nbsp;I've been using regular scissors to cut my photos before putting them in my album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I should get to sharing all the photos of my album so far, through Day 5. &nbsp;I'll share the next five days soon!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c82Y28z7ThI/UqZZq-b5cUI/AAAAAAAABMA/PgpVuPHBp_g/s1600/HS+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c82Y28z7ThI/UqZZq-b5cUI/AAAAAAAABMA/PgpVuPHBp_g/s320/HS+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Day 1: &nbsp;I positioned one of my photos to show through the die cut tag and added the numbered star for my date and a small acrylic holly piece adhered with a staple. &nbsp;I added an arrow created with a Story Card Die from Technique Tuesday. (These dies are versatile and can be used for Project Life, cards, traditional scrapbooking and many other projects. &nbsp;I use mine with the Epic 6 machine from Lifestyle Crafts)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAT58GT0ekk/UqZZuJplfbI/AAAAAAAABNk/miRwiqd1pCo/s1600/HS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAT58GT0ekk/UqZZuJplfbI/AAAAAAAABNk/miRwiqd1pCo/s320/HS2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_51Wcc9Qo/UqZZyRVq9RI/AAAAAAAABO8/RYy3poi71Pc/s1600/HS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_51Wcc9Qo/UqZZyRVq9RI/AAAAAAAABO8/RYy3poi71Pc/s320/HS3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;On the back side of the tag, I added a second photo, both are adhered with red washi. &nbsp;On each page, I am stamping the date with the Christmas Date Stamp Roller from Smash. &nbsp;I'm also adding the "clue" from Heidi's&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">#heidiholidayfotofind with a stamp I've had forever from Provo Craft. &nbsp;It's a huge roller stamp that you can use to spell out words. &nbsp;I have one with a large font and one with a smaller font where you can spell out longer words.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsGNGtKFSew/UqZZynh1DdI/AAAAAAAABPE/aWAk7-UrgtY/s1600/HS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsGNGtKFSew/UqZZynh1DdI/AAAAAAAABPE/aWAk7-UrgtY/s320/HS5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;I was excited that Heidi designed these cool Christmas Countdown cards and offered them as freebies on her blog this year. &nbsp;I printed them on vellum and I'm using them as overlays for my journal cards this year. &nbsp;My journaling is done on the Remember This Story Cards by Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday. &nbsp;I jot down my day's journaling on the front and then onto the back and then put the overlay on top of the card and staple both into my album. &nbsp;Here's the <a href="http://www.heidiswapp.com/december-firstso-it-begins/" target="_blank">LINK</a> to the first set of overlay Countdown Cards from Heidi! &nbsp;I'll give you the link to the next set when I get to Day 7 in my album (they're being released 6 at a time).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HACzXI5mR4U/UqZZzDshs4I/AAAAAAAABPI/j9Ne9CtMPJs/s1600/HS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HACzXI5mR4U/UqZZzDshs4I/AAAAAAAABPI/j9Ne9CtMPJs/s320/HS6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 2:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8hSoT6pUyQ/UqZZztWfjtI/AAAAAAAABPY/HLdb0EnHkVA/s1600/HS7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8hSoT6pUyQ/UqZZztWfjtI/AAAAAAAABPY/HLdb0EnHkVA/s320/HS7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFN9jum87k0/UqZZ0MWB1NI/AAAAAAAABPg/SGG6n2zeviY/s1600/HS8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFN9jum87k0/UqZZ0MWB1NI/AAAAAAAABPg/SGG6n2zeviY/s320/HS8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;I'm using the overlay on my journal card for each day of the month. &nbsp;They are adhered with a staple! &nbsp;Super Simple!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kzOx3LBpQM/UqZZ0J-CpSI/AAAAAAAABPc/jQ15VoieJ_M/s1600/HS9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kzOx3LBpQM/UqZZ0J-CpSI/AAAAAAAABPc/jQ15VoieJ_M/s320/HS9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbU7mVeULRU/UqZZq4dtlhI/AAAAAAAABMM/wuWkc0alY58/s1600/HS10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbU7mVeULRU/UqZZq4dtlhI/AAAAAAAABMM/wuWkc0alY58/s320/HS10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg9nHeDd6Rg/UqZZq9WJdTI/AAAAAAAABMk/gHXUHX4KZNw/s1600/HS11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg9nHeDd6Rg/UqZZq9WJdTI/AAAAAAAABMk/gHXUHX4KZNw/s320/HS11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;I had three photos to include today and a pretty small tag on which to include them. &nbsp;So, I started at the bottom, and adhered each of them with washi, one on top of the next, so you can flip each one up to view the next photo.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LypUxmc6akw/UqZZrlQC3xI/AAAAAAAABMg/QUxh0c-JogI/s1600/HS12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LypUxmc6akw/UqZZrlQC3xI/AAAAAAAABMg/QUxh0c-JogI/s320/HS12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHequghOnZc/UqZZr1ImnPI/AAAAAAAABMs/47FvUiEaV84/s1600/HS13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHequghOnZc/UqZZr1ImnPI/AAAAAAAABMs/47FvUiEaV84/s320/HS13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 3:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIax2A7HLG8/UqZZsCDeXCI/AAAAAAAABM0/Q4RNewjp7To/s1600/HS14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIax2A7HLG8/UqZZsCDeXCI/AAAAAAAABM0/Q4RNewjp7To/s320/HS14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfiIeNc2G1U/UqZZs7LeqrI/AAAAAAAABNM/kYUh85sn5Vw/s1600/HS17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfiIeNc2G1U/UqZZs7LeqrI/AAAAAAAABNM/kYUh85sn5Vw/s320/HS17.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpJdMToV_cY/UqZZtZGjTmI/AAAAAAAABNE/6R4YybWUk50/s1600/HS18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpJdMToV_cY/UqZZtZGjTmI/AAAAAAAABNE/6R4YybWUk50/s320/HS18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the acrylic page for Day 3! &nbsp;Under the acrylic page, I added two photos, a nice little graphic tag from Chic Tags and some fun embellishments.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brTG96yEb4o/UqZZscIpAbI/AAAAAAAABNA/ZzludM5kTGY/s1600/HS15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brTG96yEb4o/UqZZscIpAbI/AAAAAAAABNA/ZzludM5kTGY/s320/HS15.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jm87Lz4UItM/UqZZsr-cWgI/AAAAAAAABNY/UZ2drxW74-s/s1600/HS16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jm87Lz4UItM/UqZZsr-cWgI/AAAAAAAABNY/UZ2drxW74-s/s320/HS16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 4:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LThiUMRDlY/UqZZuqNKgOI/AAAAAAAABN8/zp7diwV8LMg/s1600/HS20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LThiUMRDlY/UqZZuqNKgOI/AAAAAAAABN8/zp7diwV8LMg/s320/HS20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uEPTn-_WHQ/UqZZvN0LAoI/AAAAAAAABN4/Zuo8383Yw_k/s1600/HS22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uEPTn-_WHQ/UqZZvN0LAoI/AAAAAAAABN4/Zuo8383Yw_k/s320/HS22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;The Heidi die cut vellum banner from the ephemera pack looks amazing on this page! &nbsp;I also added the Merry Christmas piece and my date star to this one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anwYGWSRXS4/UqZZviseQiI/AAAAAAAABOA/pXhaNceO3Ws/s1600/HS23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anwYGWSRXS4/UqZZviseQiI/AAAAAAAABOA/pXhaNceO3Ws/s320/HS23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;Even my washi had a 4 today! This page layout offered a lot of space for me to add a little tag from Chic Tags and washi tape.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xuo2Dy5LisM/UqZZv8G7CTI/AAAAAAAABOI/IxmBBhGzEtY/s1600/HS24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xuo2Dy5LisM/UqZZv8G7CTI/AAAAAAAABOI/IxmBBhGzEtY/s320/HS24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 5:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpkktf_Uw3s/UqZZwLiw5_I/AAAAAAAABOM/WkjSD5_x8sw/s1600/HS25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpkktf_Uw3s/UqZZwLiw5_I/AAAAAAAABOM/WkjSD5_x8sw/s320/HS25.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Aeqf8_td9I/UqZZw82xg1I/AAAAAAAABOc/L09BT84yYmU/s1600/HS26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Aeqf8_td9I/UqZZw82xg1I/AAAAAAAABOc/L09BT84yYmU/s320/HS26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvLP1LV9tvk/UqZZxNDOrzI/AAAAAAAABOg/n0nn4l3_nhA/s1600/HS28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvLP1LV9tvk/UqZZxNDOrzI/AAAAAAAABOg/n0nn4l3_nhA/s320/HS28.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTmi2r51zms/UqZZxGnQ64I/AAAAAAAABOs/xYSX1XSNJV4/s1600/HS27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTmi2r51zms/UqZZxGnQ64I/AAAAAAAABOs/xYSX1XSNJV4/s320/HS27.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a little ribbon, some sequins and a puffy silver star trimmed from a yard of metallic trim I found at the fabric store. &nbsp;I adhered everything with Glue Dots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed seeing my take on the December Daily album for 2013 using Heidi Swapp's Believe Memory File Album! &nbsp;Such a fun way to document this festive month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Join me back here soon for the next "five days of Christmas"!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-56133741685365691462013-06-04T10:24:00.000-07:002013-09-22T09:07:06.310-07:00DIY Shadow Box with Studio Calico Wood Veneer Cameras<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR6Rn4Fok5Y/Ua01mq02epI/AAAAAAAABJs/Jy01USD7oUQ/s1600/CAM02847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR6Rn4Fok5Y/Ua01mq02epI/AAAAAAAABJs/Jy01USD7oUQ/s640/CAM02847.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes inspiration strikes right there in the middle of the scrapbook store!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I was in the store one day, checking out our new arrivals, this package of tiny little cameras from Studio Calico practically jumped out at me. &nbsp;Being a HUGE fan of cameras, I knew I had to use them for something special. &nbsp;With their unique shapes, I wanted to create something where I could see each one. &nbsp;And being a designer who LOVES color, I wanted to make each one a bright, vibrant color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">256938a2afa079fef4db8a879030de3562c46813983726bc2c</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, as I sometimes do, I wandered the store, waiting for the idea to jump into my head. &nbsp;Just being around so many papers, embellishments and creative products tends to inspire me. &nbsp;I have the very best ideas in the store! &nbsp;Try it sometime, I'm sure your scrapbook store can work magic too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I passed our display of Luminarte mists, it came to me. &nbsp;I should use the mist on the cameras. &nbsp;Over the last couple of years, I have taught workshops, designed projects for the store and written blog posts on the versatility of mists. &nbsp;When I came up with this idea, I hadn't used the mists as paint very often. &nbsp;So, I thought this would be a perfect project to venture into new territory. &nbsp;Mist, whether Luminarte, Mister Hueys, or made by other manufacturers, comes in a multitude of colors and finishes. &nbsp;For this project, I love that the Luminarte mists have a sparkly, metallic finish. &nbsp;If you'd like a similar look using Mister Hueys, just grab the SHINE bottle and apply it over the top of the matte colors. &nbsp;It will look great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uicKDqD2yTQ/Ua01a3HbW1I/AAAAAAAABHk/hmYsOdpYwnY/s1600/CAM02731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uicKDqD2yTQ/Ua01a3HbW1I/AAAAAAAABHk/hmYsOdpYwnY/s320/CAM02731.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After coming up with a way to get my little cameras all colorful &amp; sparkly, I thought the best way to display them would be to mount them in a shadow box. &nbsp;I picked up an 9" x 9" shadow box at IKEA. &nbsp;I liked the white frame so the cameras would really be the focal point.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXOG6AR5KJk/Ua01cY09-TI/AAAAAAAABHw/SiF9_sbo3vY/s1600/CAM02796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXOG6AR5KJk/Ua01cY09-TI/AAAAAAAABHw/SiF9_sbo3vY/s320/CAM02796.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With a rainbow in mind, I arranged my mists by color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuGKksnpD_w/Ua01h1d4pBI/AAAAAAAABIs/aXxqfT7wayg/s1600/CAM02807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuGKksnpD_w/Ua01h1d4pBI/AAAAAAAABIs/aXxqfT7wayg/s320/CAM02807.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I opened the lid and used a brush to drip a little mist onto a regular sheet of printer paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The actual color of the mist is often different than it appears in the bottle. &nbsp;I was also sure to shake the bottle vigorously before opening it. &nbsp;The metallic flakes settle to the bottom of the bottle very quickly, so be sure to shake your mist often.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOYsDxJkDLY/Ua01drW3uyI/AAAAAAAABH8/7MorcuiK2Ck/s1600/CAM02798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOYsDxJkDLY/Ua01drW3uyI/AAAAAAAABH8/7MorcuiK2Ck/s320/CAM02798.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I sorted through the veneer cameras putting them into little piles by shape and size. &nbsp;I wanted to be sure to include a variety in my final product. &nbsp;Being a big fan of symmetry and having a square shadow box, I decided to use 16 cameras in my design. &nbsp;Originally, I had planned to use more, but when I laid out the cameras on a 9"x9" sheet of white paper, the white space between them was perfect with 16 cameras. &nbsp;My original layout was approximate, I would use a ruler later when it was time to apply the photos to my mounting paper.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgp3sCh4-p8/Ua01eg8gcCI/AAAAAAAABIE/kE1a8rycUHo/s1600/CAM02799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgp3sCh4-p8/Ua01eg8gcCI/AAAAAAAABIE/kE1a8rycUHo/s320/CAM02799.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After letting my dots of mist dry, I chose the 16 colors I liked best and began to paint each camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a small paint brush to apply the mist, letting it sink into the wood veneer for a few seconds, then applying more, until the color reached a vibrant depth on each piece.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bzM171J5KQ/Ua01hYHe-VI/AAAAAAAABIk/FCemUzm4BMk/s1600/CAM02804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bzM171J5KQ/Ua01hYHe-VI/AAAAAAAABIk/FCemUzm4BMk/s320/CAM02804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After applying a few coats of mist, I let each camera dry a bit so I could check the shimmer. &nbsp;The Luminarte mists I used sparkle more as they dry, so it's necessary to wait until your project is dry to see if you like the amount of shimmer. &nbsp;Apply another coat or two if your project isn't "shimmer-y" enough.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_NvknqiTDM/Ua01gVBY5AI/AAAAAAAABIU/Ptha3VciHQU/s1600/CAM02803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_NvknqiTDM/Ua01gVBY5AI/AAAAAAAABIU/Ptha3VciHQU/s320/CAM02803.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I completed each camera, I placed them back onto my printer paper to see how the colors looked next to each other.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHGeraPvpSw/Ua01hg9WESI/AAAAAAAABIw/d50tazdU_W0/s1600/CAM02806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHGeraPvpSw/Ua01hg9WESI/AAAAAAAABIw/d50tazdU_W0/s320/CAM02806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NEx80Dltzs/Ua01ipPMZtI/AAAAAAAABI8/-aNYzEdG3-Y/s1600/CAM02831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NEx80Dltzs/Ua01ipPMZtI/AAAAAAAABI8/-aNYzEdG3-Y/s320/CAM02831.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After all the cameras were painted and dry, I used a ruler to place them. &nbsp;I started with the right column and placed the largest camera 1" away from the edge. &nbsp;Since all the cameras differ in size, I moved up the right column, centering each camera in an area of space dictated by the largest camera. &nbsp;As I measured the rows, I tried to keep the bottoms of the cameras in line with each other, as if they were sitting on a shelf. &nbsp;I liked the look of this, except when I placed the tiniest cameras. &nbsp;For those, I felt lining them up with the bottoms of the other cameras left too much space above them. &nbsp;So, I moved the tiniest cameras up a bit centering them more in their spaces. (Feel free to message me if you would like a more detailed explanation of my spacing. &nbsp;It was much easier to do in reality than it is to explain in writing!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQAqOnrR8c4/Ua01jSn0nZI/AAAAAAAABJM/8KiTs0kaynI/s1600/CAM02833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQAqOnrR8c4/Ua01jSn0nZI/AAAAAAAABJM/8KiTs0kaynI/s320/CAM02833.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After placing the cameras, I used a pen to trace their "lenses" onto my printer paper. &nbsp;If you're using different veneer shapes, you could trace outside the shape instead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJzecimIryA/Ua01kHRIKOI/AAAAAAAABJQ/mwOkjrj5vIw/s1600/CAM02838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJzecimIryA/Ua01kHRIKOI/AAAAAAAABJQ/mwOkjrj5vIw/s320/CAM02838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In order to attach my cameras to my mounting paper, I placed my printer paper with the circles down onto a light box. &nbsp;Next, I placed my 9" x 9" mounting paper (Bazzill Basics Swiss Dot Cardstock in Salt) on top. &nbsp;I used mini Glue Dots (about 2 per camera) to attach each camera over the circle. &nbsp;I kept my ruler handy to make sure the bottoms of the cameras were straight.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iH4_Xf-3zM/Ua01mqxIPQI/AAAAAAAABJo/4Y85puhl-kI/s1600/CAM02849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iH4_Xf-3zM/Ua01mqxIPQI/AAAAAAAABJo/4Y85puhl-kI/s320/CAM02849.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After applying all the cameras, I placed the paper inside the shadow box...and VOILA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A simple, vibrant, graphic piece of art!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of designing some fun products to sell in scrapbook stores and on etsy! &nbsp;My company is called Creatively Custom and I'd love it if you'd stop over and LIKE my new business <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CreativelyCustom" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. &nbsp;My first products will be custom Project Life style cards for high schools, complete with names, colors &amp; mascots! &nbsp;I'd love to know what you think of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA6PulCk7_Q/Ua4iLM65a2I/AAAAAAAABKE/hYE6QPmBDgs/s320/Creatively+Custom+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Check out my fun idea and TONS of other amazing ideas over at the link party on Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;Tuesday is 'Get Your Craft On' day! &nbsp;You'll find SO many cool ideas there every week, you'll wonder why you hadn't found it before! &nbsp;Oh, be sure to tell Kim (Creator &amp; Diva of TCB) HI and that Julie from JulieChats sent you!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-13470430280631137042013-05-06T15:45:00.000-07:002013-05-06T15:46:30.662-07:00Teacher Appreciation Layouts - Layout of the WeekThis week is a very important week in schools all across America! &nbsp;It's Teacher Appreciation Week! &nbsp;This week was a huge deal in my daughter's elementary school. &nbsp;And it still is! &nbsp;Even though she's moved on to &nbsp;middle school and her brother doesn't start elementary school until next year, I was asked to pitch in during this special week. &nbsp;I'm sure it doesn't hurt that I work our local scrapbook store. &nbsp;Those volunteers know just who to ask when these projects come up!<br /><br />One of the mom's at the school came up with the idea of having each child in the school (about 600) create a scrapbook layout for his or her teacher. &nbsp;Some kids also created layouts for the "specials" teachers: music, library and technology. &nbsp;In an effort to include the office staff in this fun project, a mom contacted me and asked me to design pages for the principal and the three ladies who work in the office. &nbsp;Of course, I was delighted to help. &nbsp;These ladies were part of my and my daughter's life for six years and will be a part of my son's life for the next six years!<br /><br />When I thought about what types of layouts to create, I was looking for something simple &amp; graphic, that I could reproduce pretty easily for four people. &nbsp;I think that the teachers will be receiving albums full of pages from their students. &nbsp;I'm not sure exactly how my layouts will be presented to the office ladies, but I think they would be perfect in frames to hang on the wall.<br /><br />I am really excited that our store will be getting the retail version of Project Life very soon and so I thought I'd create a PL style layout for these projects. &nbsp;I also have a few fun ideas that I'm going to start designing soon to sell in the store and on etsy. &nbsp;I'll be back with details, once the products are ready for sale. &nbsp;So I had some ideas floating around in my head that I wanted to try out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCCBuOJSLU/UYgwHZCxbPI/AAAAAAAABFg/VRjENCF1I7M/s1600/IMG_20130506_105038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCCBuOJSLU/UYgwHZCxbPI/AAAAAAAABFg/VRjENCF1I7M/s320/IMG_20130506_105038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Our store (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/whimzeesscrapbookstudio" target="_blank">Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio</a> in Beaverton, Oregon) sells tons of custom paper for local schools. &nbsp;We order our paper from Scrappin' Sports, and of course, my elementary school is one that we order. &nbsp;Check with your local scrapbook store if you'd like to create a project like this at your school. &nbsp;I'm sure they have a vendor who can create custom paper for them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nb4h3L0Hguo/UYgwT1fTPKI/AAAAAAAABF0/u2pCJqOgkRw/s1600/CAM03227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nb4h3L0Hguo/UYgwT1fTPKI/AAAAAAAABF0/u2pCJqOgkRw/s320/CAM03227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Our school colors are red and black, so I stuck with a red, black &amp; white theme for the layouts. &nbsp;I used American Crafts textured white paper and World Win non-textured black paper, along with stamps by Technique Tuesday and ink from Tim Holtz &amp; Ranger. &nbsp;The cute black chevron washi is from Glitz. &nbsp;I used my Silhouette Cameo to create custom PL style cards for the pages too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8F1i2SRVP0/UYgwdVa1DzI/AAAAAAAABGY/l4Y9N3XZ1Fg/s1600/IMG_20130506_104958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8F1i2SRVP0/UYgwdVa1DzI/AAAAAAAABGY/l4Y9N3XZ1Fg/s320/IMG_20130506_104958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />A parent provided me with the photos. &nbsp;Most were horizontal, so for three layouts, the horizontal layout worked perfectly. &nbsp;For the fourth layout, I used two vertical photos and turned the layout 90 degrees, printing and cutting my rectangles vertically.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W74m78rW2hs/UYgwU_51jiI/AAAAAAAABF8/3KQhK3yCZBw/s1600/CAM03229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W74m78rW2hs/UYgwU_51jiI/AAAAAAAABF8/3KQhK3yCZBw/s320/CAM03229.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These layouts were a lot of fun to create! &nbsp;I think I'm going to use this idea as a Teacher Appreciation gift in the future! &nbsp;Create a layout and grab a white or black square frame &amp; you're set. &nbsp;I even created cards for a 5th layout, so I can make one for my daughter with a couple special photos from her last day of 5th grade!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhXsXe5VNjI/UYgwcQLZqdI/AAAAAAAABGM/B-puYBM9Auc/s1600/IMG_20130502_172943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhXsXe5VNjI/UYgwcQLZqdI/AAAAAAAABGM/B-puYBM9Auc/s320/IMG_20130502_172943.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCiHptWtLsk/UYgwVmTwXCI/AAAAAAAABGE/Q_ICobg86rU/s1600/CAM03230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCiHptWtLsk/UYgwVmTwXCI/AAAAAAAABGE/Q_ICobg86rU/s320/CAM03230.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTKbLuEDAMM/UYgwdnTpu3I/AAAAAAAABGc/sWlbueu60vc/s1600/IMG_20130506_104926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTKbLuEDAMM/UYgwdnTpu3I/AAAAAAAABGc/sWlbueu60vc/s320/IMG_20130506_104926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Check out my fun idea and TONS of other amazing ideas over at the link party on Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;Tuesday is 'Get Your Craft On' day! &nbsp;You'll find SO many cool ideas there every week, you'll wonder why you hadn't found it before! &nbsp;Oh, be sure to tell Kim (Creator &amp; Diva of TCB) HI and that Julie from JulieChats sent you! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-23415585914139600772013-04-22T20:10:00.000-07:002013-04-22T20:10:45.129-07:00Layout of the Week - My Happy Place<div style="text-align: justify;">Most of my layouts come straight out of my own mind. &nbsp;I usually get inspired by my photos or new papers &amp; supplies at the store. &nbsp;But from time to time, I see a layout I just have to "scraplift"! &nbsp;There are just some layouts that appeal to me so much, I have to honor them by recreating them, with a little Julie-spin. &nbsp;Lately, I've been getting a lot of inspiration from Instagram. &nbsp;I stumbled across the Chic Tags blog just this way. &nbsp;After seeing the fun creations from Chic Tags on Instagram, I've been checking their blog for inspiration. &nbsp;And a couple of weeks ago, I found a layout that begged me to recreate it! &nbsp;Created by Kasia, who lives in Turkey, the&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.chictags.com/2013/04/today-was-awesome-layered-road-trip-page.html" target="_blank">"Today was Awesome!"</a>&nbsp;layout had me smitten!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D85DbBsFxxo/UXWOlSgraRI/AAAAAAAABEs/YXk6eiRAl9U/s1600/Today+was+Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D85DbBsFxxo/UXWOlSgraRI/AAAAAAAABEs/YXk6eiRAl9U/s320/Today+was+Awesome.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br />I love everything about this layout! &nbsp;Now, someday, I really do plan to recreate this layout in the colors that Kasia used. &nbsp;But, in this case, I had already chosen papers &amp; photos and just needed to use this layout for its design...as more of a sketch or plan.<br /><br />Being obsessed with color, I chose to add my Julie-spin by creating a layout full of bright colors, letting Kasia's overall page design guide the placement of my elements.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcdyr6zW5q8/UXWODm0re4I/AAAAAAAABEk/z6x8qLwq99U/s1600/IMG_20130415_201923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcdyr6zW5q8/UXWODm0re4I/AAAAAAAABEk/z6x8qLwq99U/s320/IMG_20130415_201923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />To start, I hand trimmed my dotted paper and used my sewing machine to stitch it to one of my very favorite colors of cardstock, Ruby from the Vintage Collection of Core'dinations. &nbsp;I liked the idea of continuing the dot theme, so I searched the Silhouette Online Store until I found the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=18753" target="_blank">Linked Welded Rings</a> cut that I could duplicate, rotate and weld to create a background similar to Kasia's.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV8HQ-1oAek/UXXS8bVHQLI/AAAAAAAABFQ/MgqaSvGDjJo/s1600/CAM02949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV8HQ-1oAek/UXXS8bVHQLI/AAAAAAAABFQ/MgqaSvGDjJo/s320/CAM02949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I cut it in a dark teal, Stargaze from American Crafts. &nbsp;Then I went back and deleted out the center of all my circles and cut that in white to create a background. &nbsp;I love using the Luminarte Mists from Splash of Color (previously Creative Imaginations), so I used a paint brush and water to wet the white background and then dripped four colors of the mist onto the paper. &nbsp;I let the white pieces dry before adhering them to the circle pieces.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7cbAG_09iQ/UXXS5Ce92UI/AAAAAAAABFA/iXvHKRzhGaE/s1600/CAM02947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7cbAG_09iQ/UXXS5Ce92UI/AAAAAAAABFA/iXvHKRzhGaE/s320/CAM02947.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Next I gathered some tags &amp; other embellishments, some old, some new to give my page a graphic look similar to Kasia's. I chose some stickers from the Fancy Pants kit, along with a couple Technique Tuesday stamps and my SMASH date stamp.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emTpP3dHwqc/UXXS8FB7ZnI/AAAAAAAABFM/4Th0VEzYuJs/s1600/CAM02948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emTpP3dHwqc/UXXS8FB7ZnI/AAAAAAAABFM/4Th0VEzYuJs/s320/CAM02948.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I love how my page turned out, with tons of color and lots of layers &amp; textures. &nbsp;If you're having trouble layering your embellishments, just remember to lay everything down and move it around a lot until you like the result. &nbsp;THEN start from the bottom adhering the back pieces first. &nbsp;Adding pop dots to a few of your embellishments gives some depth to your creation, just be sure to pick only a few. &nbsp;Everything doesn't need to be "popped up"!<br /><br />I hope this "scrap-lift" shows you how you can use your inspiration layout as a sketch and think of its design elements in your own way to create something original that shows a little bit of you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Check out my fun idea and TONS of other amazing ideas over at the link party on Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;Tuesday is 'Get Your Craft On' day! &nbsp;You'll find SO many cool ideas there every week, you'll wonder why you hadn't found it before! &nbsp;Oh, be sure to tell Kim (Creator &amp; Diva of TCB) HI and that Julie from JulieChats sent you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Supplies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paper:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Core'dinations Vintage Collection Ruby</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fancy Pants Down by the Shore: Colorful Days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">American Crafts Textured Cardstock: Stargaze</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Colormates Non-Textured Cardstock: Light Heritage White</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stickers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fancy Pants Down by the Shore: Sticker Fundamentals</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tags:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peterson Arne: White &amp; Yellow Mulberry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Creative Cafe: Together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stamps:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Technique Tuesday: Awesome and Studio AE: My Life</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">K &amp; Company: SMASH Date Stamp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ink:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Versamark Watermark</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Walnut Stain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Splash of Color Luminarte Radiant Rain Mists:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bashful Blue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ginger Peach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Key Lime</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sunburst</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Embossing Powder:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ranger: Rich Red</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">American Crafts: Zing in Cricket</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Misc.:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yellow Thread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-87873383656069615162013-04-16T12:25:00.001-07:002013-04-16T12:25:31.265-07:00Layout of the Week - Me & My Peeps<div style="text-align: justify;">I know that no matter how hard we try to "keep up" with our scrapbooking, there are so many things in life that "get in the way". &nbsp;Actually, it's all the amazing things we strive to record that "get in the way". &nbsp;I willingly admit that I am YEARS behind in scrapbooking, if keeping up is measured chronologically.... &nbsp;I'm not sure when this "being behind" started. &nbsp;Over the years, I have gotten less and less concerned with "keeping up". &nbsp;The very first time I remember realizing that being "current" with my scrapbooking is not important was reading about the scrapbooking philosophy of Cathy Zielske. &nbsp;Cathy was a big part of Simple Scrapbooking magazine and has a great philosophy of keeping things simple and following your own path as far as scrapbooking is concerned. &nbsp;Read some of Cathy's idea's in a blog post about <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/10/taking-the-crap-out-of-scrapbookinga-new-motto-for-an-old-approach.html" target="_blank">"Taking the 'Crap' Out of Scrapbooking"</a>. &nbsp;After you read it, &nbsp;you'll see some of the reasons why I'm not concerned with "keeping up" any more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love creating and scrapbooking is a way for me to create and working in a scrapbook store, doing this blog, teaching classes and giving advice are all parts of the creative process for me. &nbsp;So, if you have always stressed about "keeping up" with your scrapbooking, take this opportunity to think about what it might be like to let go and concentrate more on being creative and telling the important stories.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, as a nod to my family who loves to browse through their photos, I've found a way to combine my simple, non-chronological style with a new-to-me way to create a very simple, chronological albums. &nbsp;I plan to continue using Cathy's philosophy of telling my family's stories when I create layouts. &nbsp;I love the idea of choosing which stories I create whole page layouts for. &nbsp;As far as regular, everyday life and creating albums that my family can sit and flip through, I plan to create a 2013 album using the Project Life system by Becky Higgins when it arrives in our store. &nbsp;I love the idea of sticking my photos into divided page protectors, journaling on a card and having that be it...unless I decide to get creative with it, which I'm sure I'll do from time to time. &nbsp;I love how I can stick a layout or two in between the divided page protectors whenever I feel like it. &nbsp;Using the idea of combining both types of scrapbooking, I can cater to my philosophy of creating whole page layouts whenever I choose and also, please my husband and kids by providing actual books of their photos for them to look through and share. &nbsp;(Yes, my husband has been known to comment "If you spend so much time scrapbooking, where are the scrapbooks? &nbsp;I'd like to SEE our photos!")</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really excited about creating an album that combines the philosophies of both Cathy &amp; Becky! &nbsp;I think this will be perfect for me and my family. &nbsp;They will have something to look at filled with their memories and I &nbsp;will be able to create a fun, story telling layout whenever I find the perfect paper or embellishment...or inspiration strikes!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As far as those of you who really are keeping up :), I thought I'd share a layout I created a couple of weeks ago. &nbsp;It's an Easter layout, so it's perfect, since you'll be working with this most recent holiday now.... ;) &nbsp;And for those of us who are not so caught up, feel free to be inspired to create a layout for any Easter you have photos for! &nbsp;That's what I did. &nbsp;I used photos from a couple of Easters ago, since that's when Delaney created her "Peep Army." &nbsp;Seeing this cut on the Silhouette Online store inspired me on this one. &nbsp;I remembered taking photos of Delaney dipping tons of Peeps in chocolate and lining them up on a plate. &nbsp;We all know there are times when a product or memory inspires us to create a page. &nbsp;So, when I have time to go back &amp; create a Project Life album for 2011, I can slip this layout in the Easter section. &nbsp;Until then, I'll happily slide it into my family's album of miscellaneous memories...after it comes down off the wall at the store, anyway!</div><br />Here's some Easter inspiration for you...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akUGZ-P3ac8/UW2cLYp6KjI/AAAAAAAABEQ/8m8XBVVVY8k/s1600/IMG_20130328_090551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akUGZ-P3ac8/UW2cLYp6KjI/AAAAAAAABEQ/8m8XBVVVY8k/s320/IMG_20130328_090551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For this layout, I used a bright, "Spring-y" paper with a pattern for my background. &nbsp;The glazed &amp; glittered paper from Best Creations gave a pop to my simple layout and perfectly matched my Peeps die cut. &nbsp;When I saw the "Me &amp; My Peeps" cut in the Sihouette store, I knew just which photos I had to go with it. &nbsp;I cut the title out of some deep dark chocolate paper from American Crafts and found some super bright, non-textured cardstock in my stash to match the colors of actual Peeps. &nbsp;I added an outline to the cut in order to have a place to mount the peeps and cut it from non-textured white cardstock. &nbsp;After cutting the cute little Peeps, I inked the entire surface of each one with Versamark watermark ink and embossed with an old jar of embossing powder that says "turquoise sparkle" on the label. &nbsp;I'm not going to lie, embossing the entire surface of the little guys was a challenge...I ended up with a couple burned fingers...but the overall look was worth my pain...cute little sparkly, sugared Peeps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With such a large embellishment and four large photos, I decided on a step by step sort of layout, I put the photos on my layout in a clockwise fashion after mounting them on white non-textured cardstock, to help them stand out. &nbsp;At this point, I thought my layout needed a little extra something...so I used one of my favorite stamps right now, the arrow from Technique Tuesday's "Awesome" stamp set to help guide the eye through my sequence of photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERqZqBy3Ps/UW2cKwLoIEI/AAAAAAAABEM/Bnd5jahSv7U/s1600/CAM02415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERqZqBy3Ps/UW2cKwLoIEI/AAAAAAAABEM/Bnd5jahSv7U/s320/CAM02415.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I ended up with a little extra space on the right side and decided to add a turquoise vellum tag stamped with the date of my photos as a finishing touch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IKi-wgYXDY/UW2cLaOVueI/AAAAAAAABEU/dR1G8SCwuws/s1600/CAM02416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IKi-wgYXDY/UW2cLaOVueI/AAAAAAAABEU/dR1G8SCwuws/s320/CAM02416.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, whether this layout inspires you to create pages for Easter 2013 or another holiday entirely, remember that however you choose to scrapbook your memories is the "right" way! &nbsp;Really, the choices are endless...chronological albums, albums for each member of your family, digital albums, photobooks, Project Life, mini albums for special events...they are all ways of recording our memories to share with others!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Check out my fun idea and TONS of other amazing ideas over at the link party on Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;Tuesday is 'Get Your Craft On' day! &nbsp;You'll find SO many cool ideas there every week, you'll wonder why you hadn't found it before! &nbsp;Oh, be sure to tell Kim (Creator &amp; Diva of TCB) HI and that Julie from JulieChats sent you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-81787477538983598752013-04-08T18:25:00.004-07:002013-04-08T18:25:58.255-07:00Movie Night Theme Birthday Party<div style="text-align: justify;">Last month, I threw a Movie Night theme birthday party for my daughter, Delaney. &nbsp;She was excited to share her 12th birthday with her middle school friends. &nbsp;We went through a few ideas before settling on a Movie Night theme party in our home.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I always think of the invitations first when planning a party. &nbsp;A couple months ago, I found some great digital scrapbook designs when I planned my five year old son's Herbie the Love Bug party. &nbsp;I enjoyed them so much, before I looked anywhere else, I stopped over at the <a href="http://www.shop.scrapmatters.com/" target="_blank">Scrapmatters</a> site to search for anything related to movies. &nbsp;As it turned out, they had the perfect digi collection in the colors we were thinking of...red, yellow &amp; black. &nbsp;The <a href="http://shop.scrapmatters.com/movie-magic-by-jennifer-labre-designs.html" target="_blank">Movie Magic Collection</a> by Jennifer Labre Designs had everything I needed. &nbsp;When designing invitations, I've found it's SO much easier to start with a digital scrapbook collection. &nbsp;I used Photoshop Elements to create these invitations. &nbsp;With millions of options available in this program, I like to narrow my choices by finding a digital scrapbook collection that matches my theme and using it to create my invitations. &nbsp;I printed these invitations at home on white cardstock.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZJPjKwq7hA/UWNUtHhVvNI/AAAAAAAABBI/ymCH5nT-hlU/s1600/Delaney's+12th+Birthday+Invitation+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZJPjKwq7hA/UWNUtHhVvNI/AAAAAAAABBI/ymCH5nT-hlU/s320/Delaney's+12th+Birthday+Invitation+for+web.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Delaney used a Decoration Roller from <a href="http://www.plus-america.com/craft/deco_roller_refill.html" target="_blank">Plus Corp.</a> to decorate the envelopes, writing her guests' names inside the strip in red ink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlkeIUC9d08/UWNVbkJ3ELI/AAAAAAAABBU/3NHZXTv8mVE/s1600/Decoration+Roller+Film+Strip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlkeIUC9d08/UWNVbkJ3ELI/AAAAAAAABBU/3NHZXTv8mVE/s320/Decoration+Roller+Film+Strip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the invitations taken care of, it was time to move on to decorations! &nbsp;As I started looking for decorations, I wanted them to be fun, creative and also have a low price tag. &nbsp;Having a subscription to the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/" target="_blank">Silhouette Online Store</a>, I always search there for any upcoming projects...just to see what they have. &nbsp;This time, I was very pleasantly surprised to find exactly what I was looking for...some fun cutting files that I could use to decorate the house and also the cake. &nbsp;I found a <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=12560" target="_blank">film camera</a>, the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=26030" target="_blank">five movie reel &amp; film set by Lori Whitlock</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&amp;id=15499" target="_blank">movie night title by Samantha Walker</a>. &nbsp;They all seemed perfect, so I grabbed some paper at my local scrapbook store and got to work cutting things out on my Silhouette Cameo. &nbsp;(Yes, I love this machine! &nbsp;I can't say enough great things about it! &nbsp;I won mine in a giveaway over on <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank">Today's Creative Blog </a>in January 2012 and I've been busy using it ever since! &nbsp;Kim over at TCB often has discounts on the machines and from time to time gives one away, so stop over &amp; check out her blog, if you haven't already!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">OK, here's the fun part! &nbsp;I used simple, solid color cardstock to create my decorations. &nbsp;Some of the paper is textured and some is not. &nbsp;I knew that the group I was entertaining wouldn't be too concerned with the small details, just the atmosphere!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the birthday girl in charge, we started with the Candy Table! &nbsp;We thought it would be fun to have at least one favorite candy for each guest, so we asked them to name their favorite when they RSVP'd. &nbsp;Since they're middle schoolers, most of the RSVP's came directly to Delaney at school, so she kept a candy list. On a recent supply shopping trip, she grabbed every kind of candy on the list...and a couple more "just in case". &nbsp;For setup, we cleared a sofa table in our breakfast nook (it usually holds school supplies &amp; homework, which we moved into the office and CLOSED THE DOOR!). &nbsp;To give our display some height, I placed a tall box in the center and added a 12-pack of soda to each side and pushed them against the wall. &nbsp; Next, I covered the boxes and table with a piece of navy velvet fabric I've had for years and never have found a use for. &nbsp;I thought it had an old time movie theater type look and it was great that it covered the whole table too! &nbsp;Delaney had specific ideas for the arrangement of the candy, so I let her go to work. &nbsp;She placed black paper bags with stars in the center of the table, so each girl could make her own candy mix. &nbsp;The plastic popcorn containers held pens for a party game and slips of paper with fun ice breaker questions to begin the party, since everyone didn't know each other. &nbsp;Delaney used colorful bowls to hold some of the candy and just left others open in their packages. &nbsp;She used acrylic risers to give some of the bowls a little height and sprinkled some confetti made from stars punched out of our discarded paper &amp; shapes as a finishing touch.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BlB99--C3JA/UWNf-Mri8uI/AAAAAAAABDA/mUxefOL34Bg/s1600/CAM02359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BlB99--C3JA/UWNf-Mri8uI/AAAAAAAABDA/mUxefOL34Bg/s320/CAM02359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ms_SpBCAaYw/UWNf-ZsoZPI/AAAAAAAABC8/nHpiYexkVZY/s1600/CAM02361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ms_SpBCAaYw/UWNf-ZsoZPI/AAAAAAAABC8/nHpiYexkVZY/s320/CAM02361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In addition to candy, no movie party would be complete without a selection of salty snacks! &nbsp;I found a large popcorn bowl and little boxes for each girl in the dollar section at Target. &nbsp;We served buttered popcorn, kettle corn, herbed popcorn from Trader Joe's and aged white cheddar Pirate's Booty.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xklcFxoulMQ/UWNf90cUJ1I/AAAAAAAABC0/PSLbGBV43Ec/s1600/CAM02356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xklcFxoulMQ/UWNf90cUJ1I/AAAAAAAABC0/PSLbGBV43Ec/s320/CAM02356.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After living in my house for eight years and hosting tons of parties for both kids and adults, I've found that keeping decorations simple doesn't have to be boring. &nbsp;One of my favorite ways to decorate is to hang strips of streamers down from the lights over my dining room and nook tables. &nbsp;For this party, I had a friend helping with decorations in the morning. &nbsp;She cut streamers about 4 feet long and draped them over the arms of my chandeliers. &nbsp;Then she used clear thread to hang a few of the stars I cut out of gold and silver metallic cardstock to add a little sparkle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoCXk7bXxg8/UWNf8Db4ysI/AAAAAAAABCQ/yoFngkXH_rA/s1600/CAM02347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoCXk7bXxg8/UWNf8Db4ysI/AAAAAAAABCQ/yoFngkXH_rA/s320/CAM02347.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3iqzAJh8EY/UWNf8cwMIaI/AAAAAAAABCU/9NJBKdURiNs/s1600/CAM02351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3iqzAJh8EY/UWNf8cwMIaI/AAAAAAAABCU/9NJBKdURiNs/s320/CAM02351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We are not huge cake/frosting fans in my family, so Delaney chose a plain cheesecake from Costco as her birthday cake. &nbsp;I used black &amp; red frosting tubes to add a little color and my Silhouette cuts to make it a Movie Night party cake! &nbsp;I cut 2 large film cameras from my black paper. &nbsp;Then I took one of the pieces and used clear tape to attach one skewer to each of the three legs, leaving about 3" of skewer sticking out past the end of the camera leg. &nbsp;After the skewers were attached, I used scrapbook adhesive to adhere the remaining camera over the top of the skewers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3XHuTPctrE/UWNf-kAh9lI/AAAAAAAABC4/XLm26q9dbu0/s1600/CAM02366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3XHuTPctrE/UWNf-kAh9lI/AAAAAAAABC4/XLm26q9dbu0/s320/CAM02366.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Next, I carefully stuck the skewers down into the cheesecake, so the camera stood at the back of the cake. &nbsp;I placed a film reel in front of the camera and one of my metallic stars in front of that. &nbsp;I loved that the film strip had seven spots, so I trimmed a piece of white paper to fit and added Delaney's name to the strip with silver glitter stickers. &nbsp;Since she rarely, if ever, finds her name on a personalized item, she just loved seeing it on her cake like this. &nbsp;I placed the film strip in front of the taller items, stuck in "12" candles and we were set!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqRp6f5x-wg/UWNgAIa-6mI/AAAAAAAABDY/czclHFEB0f8/s1600/CAM02372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqRp6f5x-wg/UWNgAIa-6mI/AAAAAAAABDY/czclHFEB0f8/s320/CAM02372.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To cover the table and take away attention from my Christmas table cloth (the only red one I have long enough to cover the table with two leaves), I cut a piece of paper from my son's IKEA easel, long enough to make a table runner. &nbsp;Delaney &amp; a friend sprinkled the table with their homemade confetti and added some film strips from the decoration roller to give it a finished look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmPRQN3v9ik/UWNf-8e3X8I/AAAAAAAABDQ/96zjs_I8m5M/s1600/CAM02367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmPRQN3v9ik/UWNf-8e3X8I/AAAAAAAABDQ/96zjs_I8m5M/s320/CAM02367.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AAuT5PVtqE/UWNf_0ukwuI/AAAAAAAABDc/JNO3AXg71Ys/s1600/CAM02369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AAuT5PVtqE/UWNf_0ukwuI/AAAAAAAABDc/JNO3AXg71Ys/s320/CAM02369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vCPevbBU4Q/UWNppIDTo-I/AAAAAAAABD0/gETCoFaIa3c/s1600/CAM02344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vCPevbBU4Q/UWNppIDTo-I/AAAAAAAABD0/gETCoFaIa3c/s320/CAM02344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As far as the scheduling of activities during the party, Delaney had a great plan and the girls had a lot of fun! &nbsp;She started with an ice breaker her theater teacher used on the first day. &nbsp;Then they watched Lemonade Mouth, a fun preteen/teen Disney movie that most of the girls had seen. &nbsp;Delaney wanted the girls to pay attention to the details and actually watch the movie, so she found a quiz online and printed one copy for each guest. &nbsp;She told them there would be a quiz at the end of the movie. &nbsp;Everyone watched the movie and had fun filling out their quizzes at the end. &nbsp;For prizes, she handed out boxes of Cracker Jacks that we had decorated with a little baker's twine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7Z-tJE9wME/UWNf7FItKII/AAAAAAAABCI/5_OhwVPtMQs/s1600/CAM02343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7Z-tJE9wME/UWNf7FItKII/AAAAAAAABCI/5_OhwVPtMQs/s320/CAM02343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13Q4pdaGTVA/UWNf6my_IGI/AAAAAAAABB8/Lemc0qSRcFI/s1600/CAM02342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13Q4pdaGTVA/UWNf6my_IGI/AAAAAAAABB8/Lemc0qSRcFI/s320/CAM02342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the quiz, the girls made individual pizzas and ate while decorating the paper table runner with crayons Delaney had placed on the table in plastic popcorn containers. &nbsp;They had dessert, Delaney opened presents and we shot some fun photos in front of a party backdrop we had created with long pieces of yellow paper. (I "borrowed" the yellow paper from my son's preschool...his teacher's daughter was at the party, so she was more than happy to "loan" it to me!) &nbsp;Delaney and her friend used metallic stars I cut on the Cameo, backed them with red stars, so the "12" cut out of the inside would really pop, and placed them on the paper randomly. &nbsp;We used a few streamers and added a "red carpet" with some red preschool paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-hBlFqWbKo/UWNf7xuGIYI/AAAAAAAABCc/GdbtzQG9I9Q/s1600/CAM02346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-hBlFqWbKo/UWNf7xuGIYI/AAAAAAAABCc/GdbtzQG9I9Q/s320/CAM02346.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For all my parties, I try to have a little fun with my front door. &nbsp;For this party, I used one of my Southern Living at Home door buckets filled with white paper Easter grass. &nbsp;I added some of the movie night theme cuts from my Cameo, a few streamers and the large Movie Night cut to the front. &nbsp;I added an outline to the Movie Night cut, to give it an extra layer of color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bucket ended up being my favorite decoration for the party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ6heuSIraI/UWNf5_-c-QI/AAAAAAAABBs/v-f36Bf6QgQ/s1600/CAM02337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ6heuSIraI/UWNf5_-c-QI/AAAAAAAABBs/v-f36Bf6QgQ/s320/CAM02337.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51dNPgEt3To/UWNf6QQngwI/AAAAAAAABB0/eMiO2SrwtL8/s1600/CAM02339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51dNPgEt3To/UWNf6QQngwI/AAAAAAAABB0/eMiO2SrwtL8/s320/CAM02339.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Delaney gathered a few fun props and the girls had a great time taking photos of each other in front of our "red carpet" backdrop! &nbsp;Everyone had a ton of sugar, snacks and fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Movie Night theme party was perfect for our group of middle school girls!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it could also be perfect for your girls, boys, families or groups of any kind!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out my fun idea and TONS of other amazing ideas over at the link party on Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;Tuesday is 'Get Your Craft On' day! &nbsp;You'll find SO many cool ideas there every week, you'll wonder why you hadn't found it before! &nbsp;Oh, be sure to tell Kim (Creator &amp; Diva of TCB) HI and that Julie from JulieChats sent you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-29938446672400369852012-04-06T19:09:00.006-07:002012-04-09T17:45:05.136-07:00Introducing a Brand New Type of Embellishment...I think I invented it!Monday, April 9 - UPDATE - OK, it looks like I didn't <i>invent</i> my cute little embellishments, but the commenter who said she'd seen them before didn't tell me where or give me a link. &nbsp;So, if someone has a link, I'd love to check out the <i>inventor</i> of this cool idea! ;)<br /><br />Last night, while creating a last minute Easter layout for the store, I think I might have invented a brand new and COOL (if I do say so myself) embellishment! &nbsp;I searched the internet and couldn't find anything exactly like it. &nbsp;Yes, the supplies are used together in a few different projects, but nothing with just a Glue Dot and Baker's Twine. &nbsp;Sure, it's a very simple ideas, but I think the best ideas always are! &nbsp;My new "Swirl Pops" (yes, I just made that up this minute), are the perfect addition to your next card, scrapbook layout or altered journal...just a small 'pop' of color. &nbsp;They are not at all sparkly or girly with absolutely no glitter, they'll be perfect for on projects for guys, heirloom projects or where you just want a bit of flair with no glitz!<br /><br />So, without further ado...meet the new Swirl Pop:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfKrdu7KXtA/T3-hQqe2QuI/AAAAAAAAA_M/qAy6L4E243Y/s1600/Swirl+Pops+Close+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfKrdu7KXtA/T3-hQqe2QuI/AAAAAAAAA_M/qAy6L4E243Y/s320/Swirl+Pops+Close+Up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />With a pile of baker's twine and a stack of Pop Up Glue Dots on my craft table, this idea just 'popped' into my head.<br /><br />First, remove the clear acetate from one Pop Up Glue Dot. &nbsp;Hold the cut end of a piece of baker's twine, twist the end clockwise, in the direction it is intended to twist, and press the very end into the Glue Dot with your finger nail or a paper piercer. &nbsp;(If you're using twine from the bolt, don't worry about cutting the twine yet, any length will do, but I wouldn't go LESS than 6")<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqoRVUQw_Uo/T3-hKSd9_AI/AAAAAAAAA-c/lhPB0z1tmc0/s1600/Swirl+Dot+Beginning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqoRVUQw_Uo/T3-hKSd9_AI/AAAAAAAAA-c/lhPB0z1tmc0/s320/Swirl+Dot+Beginning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Next, twist the twine clockwise around where you initially pushed it into the Glue Dot. &nbsp;Do this slowly, making sure the twine you are wrapping doesn't start to untwist (making the color &amp; white strings very loose). &nbsp;Keep the strings twisted while wrapping the twine around itself a little bit at a time. &nbsp;You may need to use a finger to apply a little pressure to the swirls of twine as you wrap. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyZ7uUAQF9s/T3-hO9LgABI/AAAAAAAAA-8/BlqCZYmaSvs/s1600/Swirl+Pop+partially+wrapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyZ7uUAQF9s/T3-hO9LgABI/AAAAAAAAA-8/BlqCZYmaSvs/s320/Swirl+Pop+partially+wrapped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG0TrCslAow/T3-hOPn_rwI/AAAAAAAAA-0/CiCrDfezut8/s1600/Swirl+Pop+on+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG0TrCslAow/T3-hOPn_rwI/AAAAAAAAA-0/CiCrDfezut8/s320/Swirl+Pop+on+finger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />When you get to the outside edge of the Glue Dot, keep wrapping one more time, so that your twine is covering the side of the Glue Dot, as well as the top. &nbsp;At this point, cut the twine, so that you have a very short tail, smaller than the diameter of the Glue Dot. &nbsp;After cutting the twine, peel the Glue Dot off of its backing. &nbsp;Flip it over and press the tail of the twine into the underside of the Glue Dot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPHk37-m384/T3-hLiXCh9I/AAAAAAAAA-k/hCbp_Z4UgGQ/s1600/Swirl+Pop+after+twine+cut+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPHk37-m384/T3-hLiXCh9I/AAAAAAAAA-k/hCbp_Z4UgGQ/s320/Swirl+Pop+after+twine+cut+top.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whtJQdr5Rrw/T3-hNu7o2tI/AAAAAAAAA-s/GG4chrB-w5M/s1600/Swirl+Pop+after+twine+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whtJQdr5Rrw/T3-hNu7o2tI/AAAAAAAAA-s/GG4chrB-w5M/s320/Swirl+Pop+after+twine+cut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Congratulations, you have created your very own Swirl Pop!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bA4DNO-m2Bo/T3-hPqDnXiI/AAAAAAAAA_E/4NZUlj4uDQc/s1600/Swirl+Pops+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bA4DNO-m2Bo/T3-hPqDnXiI/AAAAAAAAA_E/4NZUlj4uDQc/s320/Swirl+Pops+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2nlh78GX9w/T3-hIJ4o71I/AAAAAAAAA-M/J0DwCOwwQmg/s1600/Blue+%2526+Green+Easter+Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2nlh78GX9w/T3-hIJ4o71I/AAAAAAAAA-M/J0DwCOwwQmg/s320/Blue+%2526+Green+Easter+Layout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After creating this layout and applying my Swirl Pops to it, ideas for new uses for the dots have been 'popping' into my head all day! &nbsp;I'll be back soon with some more Swirl Pop creations!<br /><br />For now, I'll share the Easter layout I created just before I came up with my new invention! ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlx1ENV1wMM/T3-hJZXIcDI/AAAAAAAAA-U/x_v6tgkoE64/s1600/Pink+Easter+Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlx1ENV1wMM/T3-hJZXIcDI/AAAAAAAAA-U/x_v6tgkoE64/s320/Pink+Easter+Layout.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br /><br />I love the bunny stamps that coordinate with this beautiful collection from WeR. &nbsp;The collection is called Cotton Tail and I {LOVE} it!!!<br /><br />Happy Easter! &nbsp;And please let me know what you think of my new embellishment!<br /><br />I'm sharing this creative craft idea with my friends at...<br /><br />Skip to My Lou's Made By You Monday...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img alt="Skip To My Lou" height="150" src="http://rsc.skiptomylou.org/buttons/new_button.jpg" width="150" /></a><br /><br />Today's Creative Blog's Get Your Craft On Tuesday...<br /><br /><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a><br /><br />Supplies:<br /><br />Paper: &nbsp;WeR Cotton Tail Collection, AC White Cardstock<br />Ink: &nbsp;Martha Stewart, Forget-Me-Not; Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Walnut Stain; Color Box, Heliotrope &amp; Orchid<br />Baker's Twine: &nbsp;The Twinery<br />Punch: WeR Lucky 8 (pink punch)<br />Template: The Crafter's Workshop, Chicken WireJulie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-6050260173007787562012-04-02T18:47:00.001-07:002012-04-02T18:47:48.522-07:00Silhouette Class...Lesson 1<div style="text-align: justify;">OK, I was more than EXCITED to have WON a Silhouette Cameo from Kim over at Today's Creative, back in January! &nbsp;If you've got one on your Wish List, you'll want to move it to the top, as quickly as you can! &nbsp;And remember to check over on Kim's blog, she just gave another one away last week and who knows when there might be another giveaway! &nbsp;(Follow my JulieChats Facebook page &amp; I'll be sure to let you know when I see another giveaway!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since receiving the machine, I've created some small projects...pieces for kits I'm designing for a workshop series at the store, some cute Project Life cards (no, I'm not doing PL, but these cards are TOO cute to pass up) and I even created some theme party items for my daughter's 11 birthday Rock Climbing Party. &nbsp;I promise to share all the details of the Rock Climbing Party in a separate post, very soon! &nbsp;There are just too many photos and details to create a post right now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After some experimentation with my brand new Silhouette Cameo, I read a Facebook post from the Queen of Online Digital Scrapbook Classes...Jessica Sprague where she announced that Kerri Bradford would be teaching a Silhouette class. &nbsp;The class is called Silhouette: Getting to Know You and you can find it <a href="http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=flypage.pbv.tabs.tpl&amp;product_id=2176&amp;category_id=70&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=366" target="_blank">HERE</a>. &nbsp;I signed up for the class and started Lesson 1 today. &nbsp;Right now, the class is on sale for $19 and it's a bargain! &nbsp;You have access to it FOREVER and it comes with tons of great Silhouette patterns too!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, being a person who gave her best effort with the Pazzle machine (The store where I work owns one and I had it at home for year and wished I could throw it out the window at least a couple times a week!) &nbsp;So I did have a rudimentary knowledge of the type of program that comes with the Silhouette. &nbsp;So I moved very quickly through the first few parts of Lesson 1. &nbsp;But WOW, there were so many tips and new things to learn about organizing my files, the Silhouette store (I didn't know there were files on sale each week! &nbsp;HELLO!) and I learned some great things about the program that I didn't know before that will make using it SO easy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, at the end of Lesson 1, we cut out a circular flower card and the sentiment Thanks. &nbsp;Given my current love of mist (I used Luminarte Radiant Rain mists in Ginger Flower and Blue Flame), I couldn't resist misting the petals (they were meant as negative space to be tossed out) and sticking them back over the die cut card. &nbsp;I also inked the edges of the card with some fun Eggplant chalk ink from Inkadinkado. &nbsp;I cut my card from some white card stock with small white flecks in it...not sure where it came from...and my Thanks. out of some amazing shimmering purple cardstock from Peterson Arne...don't have any details on it either....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think the card turned out pretty cute and I can't wait to get to Lesson 2 of the class! &nbsp;I'll try to share my creation after I complete that step too!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you own a Silhouette, you should definitely give this class a try!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some step by step photos of my little card...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPYZJQePT5M/T3pVywzV5SI/AAAAAAAAA-E/ggCdvzuakyQ/s1600/P4020113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPYZJQePT5M/T3pVywzV5SI/AAAAAAAAA-E/ggCdvzuakyQ/s320/P4020113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a fun little card! &nbsp;It would also be cute for Christmas, as a card or gift tag!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHzv57P0ebI/T3pVw4mv8iI/AAAAAAAAA98/dCRnCPWD2q4/s1600/P4020111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHzv57P0ebI/T3pVw4mv8iI/AAAAAAAAA98/dCRnCPWD2q4/s320/P4020111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;This photo shows the box after the petals were removed! &nbsp;Remember to always mist in a box,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and for an even shimmer of color, spray at the BACK of the box</div><div style="text-align: center;">and let the mist "rain" down on your die cuts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bscPKLwxRfg/T3pVvK5gCPI/AAAAAAAAA90/kCR-X7GM0Bc/s1600/P4020109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bscPKLwxRfg/T3pVvK5gCPI/AAAAAAAAA90/kCR-X7GM0Bc/s320/P4020109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE the finished product! &nbsp;A few of these tied with a ribbon would make great teacher gifts!</div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-67407732959590592662012-02-17T20:47:00.000-08:002012-02-17T20:47:13.555-08:00One Little Word 2012Hi! &nbsp;After sharing my 'One Little Word' for this year...LEARN, I dove into the videos and materials included in the class of the same name by Ali Edwards that I'm taking over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. &nbsp;I still have to do some of the January work and the February work too, but I have really enjoyed listening to Ali explain her prompts and the ways we can interact with our word this year and use it to motivate ourselves.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php"><img src="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/gallery/source/0/5447/AE_OLW201blogbutton.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php"> <br />When I chose the word LEARN in January, I saw myself learning all sorts of new things this year. &nbsp;In addition to learning to complete some of the projects piled in my studio, I am working on learning more about the software for my new Silhouette and of course finally taking the Jessica Sprague PhotoShop courses I purchased last summer. &nbsp;In January, I embarked on a path to teach myself to knit. &nbsp;Now, at that time, I wasn't too busy with my jobs and the kids were out of school. &nbsp;Every night I see that bag with my little tiny piece of knitting in it, sitting next to my bed, begging me to learn my second knitting stitch. &nbsp;But every night, I have to tell it, "Not tonight!" &nbsp;Working late into the night with my transcription job doesn't give me much time to sit and teach myself to knit. &nbsp;But I do have more time during the days for Jake and other projects when I can finish the typing at night, so I guess I'm just prioritizing.<br /><br />After listening to Ali talk about the different ways our words may surprise us, I realized that I am not the only one around here who is learning this year. &nbsp;Jake is in his first year of preschool and is learning how to write his name, what all the letters are, what a tornado is, how to get along with other kids his own age and maybe, if we're lucky, he's learning that we aren't trying to poison him every time we gently coax (force) him to try new foods that he ends up loving...the Tomato Basil Soup from Costco is now a favorite, even with the "little green things."<br /><br />And then there's Delaney, sadly, a big learning point for her this year is disappointment. &nbsp;She is learning to deal with not being chosen for things and how to deal with being left out. &nbsp;I know that these lessons will serve her well, especially with middle school just around the corner. &nbsp;But as a mom, I'd rather have my teeth pulled without anesthetic than hear that she has another disappointment this year. &nbsp;She is so strong and is dealing very well with all this stuff. &nbsp;For her, art is a calming distraction from real life. &nbsp;In November, she began taking art lessons and it has been a great experience. &nbsp;Her teacher, Jen, is a professional artist who has taught art to kids for years. &nbsp;She just opened her in-home studio and Delaney was one of her first students. &nbsp;Delaney has loved learning, in an in depth way, sketching, painting and mixed media.<br /><br />After listening to Ali, I thought more about my word, LEARN! &nbsp;As Ali said, we should all look around us and see how our word works in the world. &nbsp;Now, I'm only looking around my own home, but I can see my word touching all of us!<br /><br />Thanks, Ali! &nbsp;And if any of you would like to join in the One Little Word class, just click the button above for more information. &nbsp;You can join anytime until December 2012, and it isn't difficult to catch up on the prompts. &nbsp; But don't feel like you have to cram them all in, it's a self paced class and I'm trying to remember to take my time and enjoy my word and the slivers of time that I carve out to spend on this project....</a>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-58048212857004470262012-02-03T16:10:00.000-08:002012-02-03T16:10:24.434-08:002012...Be Inspired, Get Organized, LEARNWow, it's sure been a while since I've blogged...maybe it's about a lack of time or maybe it's about a lack of inspiration...maybe it's a bit of both.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMlLanphuUc/Tyx1qUE7m0I/AAAAAAAAA8c/7QMbf9MvUDk/s1600/DSC03504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMlLanphuUc/Tyx1qUE7m0I/AAAAAAAAA8c/7QMbf9MvUDk/s320/DSC03504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />But, as I attempt my first Roundup (I'm inspired by Katie Nelson, just took a class from her at <a href="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/katien.php">Big Picture Classes</a>, check out the Roundup section on her <a href="http://scrapbooklady.typepad.com/katie_the_scrapbook_lady/monthly-roundups.html">blog</a> for more info.), of January 2012, I took a few minutes to read through some emails I've been meaning to get to. &nbsp;I had 5 emails from the Ali Edwards series <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2012/01/52-creative-lifts-a-new-approach-to-my-newsletter.html">52 Creative Lifts</a> that I had been waiting to read. &nbsp;While my January photos uploaded to Costco, seemed like the perfect time to get to them. &nbsp;Reading through these weekly emails, inspired me to head over here and write a post about what I'm up to this year.<br /><br />First, I began January thinking about my One Little Word for 2012. &nbsp;WAY back in 2010, I decided on BELIEVE and ACHIEVE for my word(s) :). &nbsp;I set goals for myself that had to do with blogging, losing weight and working on my finances. &nbsp;I have to say that, as is usually my habit, I began with a strong focus on my goals and LIFE got in the way. &nbsp;When it was time for 2011, I had helped my finances by taking a 2nd part time job, but doing so had squeezed out time to concentrate on blogging or anything else. &nbsp;It seems to take me quite a while to "right my ship" when I encounter a big change like this, so here I am in 2012, forcing myself to make time to be creative (that might even include some blogging here &amp; there). &nbsp;With Jake in preschool, even for only 2 mornings a week, I can do some of my second job (transcription) during the mornings and not just into the wee hours of the night. &nbsp;Getting just a little more sleep sure helps with the creativity and motivation!<br /><br />So back to that 2012 word....mine is LEARN!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kxupgylivA/Tyx0e0-p8fI/AAAAAAAAA8U/2YmwbwbVID0/s1600/LEARN.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kxupgylivA/Tyx0e0-p8fI/AAAAAAAAA8U/2YmwbwbVID0/s320/LEARN.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />One of my huge goals is to learn Photoshop! &nbsp;I purchased two online classes at Jessica Sprague .com and now I have to make the time to go through them so I feel like I have a better handle on Photoshop. &nbsp;I would LOVE to use it in my regular scrapbooking AND to get started with some digi scrapbooking (I bought a subscription to The Digi Game over at The Daily Digi last year and I'm SO excited about all the great digi items I get for only $7.50 a month). &nbsp;I have used a few of my digi elements to create invitations and some other fun little projects, but I have yet to complete a real scrapbook layout! &nbsp;So I really need to get to those PS classes! (I did make my LEARN tag with PS and a kit from the Digi Game, but it took me forever and I can't figure out how to just use the part I want and not a rectangle background...time for the classes!)<br /><br />As a part of my effort to create enough time to LEARN in 2012, I thought I'd better get organized! &nbsp;I have read Katie's blog for a few years and have always admired how she rounds up each month at the beginning of the next month and then moves on. &nbsp;(Read how Katie explains Roundups <a href="http://scrapbooklady.typepad.com/katie_the_scrapbook_lady/2012/01/time-for-a-roundup-freshened-up-for-a-new-year.html">HERE</a> on her blog!)I took her Roundup Class in January, over at Big Picture Classes and it inspired me to design a Monthly Roundup Workshop at Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio, where I'm in charge of all the marketing, while also teaching &amp; designing. &nbsp;I wanted to share Katie's basic technique and help the participants form a sort of support group that will meet each month to create a Roundup layout and also discuss the different ways that we can incorporate Katie's technique in regular paper scrapbooking in many different forms. &nbsp;I want to share the ideas I am finding on creativity, inspiration and organizing with the group. &nbsp;So, I guess, here I am using my LEARN to teach and share too!<br /><br />In the first couple days of 2012, LEARNing Photoshop was a major goal of mine, and then it was pushed slightly aside when I was the LUCKY winner of a Silhouette Cameo die cutting machine on The Today's Creative Blog! &nbsp;I was SO excited to win, that organizing my scrapbook studio and making a space for my new toy on my crowded tables became a more urgent goal! &nbsp;And, now that the Silhouette has arrived, LEARNing it's software has become my most pressing creative goal! &nbsp;I am SO happy that the software is easy to use (I have previously used the Pazzles Pro software, so it may have come quicker to me that it might to others). &nbsp;I LOVE being able to download cool designs right from the Silhouette website for only 99 cents! &nbsp;I have used the $10 download card included with my machine to grab a few die cuts for my Roundup workshop and I'm excited to share them with everyone who attends!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7d62V3GOhw/Tyx3GnPBNGI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8PayAylVBeY/s1600/Studio+Left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7d62V3GOhw/Tyx3GnPBNGI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8PayAylVBeY/s320/Studio+Left.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that my studio is more organized, I find it's easier to run up here and cut a few shapes or finish a project. &nbsp;(Another goal of mine is to finish some projects that are half finished and filling a box under my table...having that box empty at the end of 2012, would be an amazing accomplishment!) &nbsp;I am also hoping that having things more organized will allow me to get started on a project I have been procrastinating since November. &nbsp;I am creating a custom album for a friend, I think I my reasons for procrastinating are both emotional and then just plain procrastination. &nbsp;This album is very personal to me, being a celebration of a close friend's life. &nbsp;Brent died in 2003 and thinking about creating this album gives me feelings of joy, being able to honor someone who is so important to my family and feelings of sadness at the memories being in the past. &nbsp;But now that I have the perfect space, I will press on and find joy in remembering someone so special.<br /><br />I'm confident the book will turn out beautiful and hope that it will be the beginning of a new chapter for me, creating custom albums at home in my studio.<br /><br />In order to keep my word, LEARN, foremost in my mind during 2012, I have signed up for the <a href="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php?utm_source=AE+DESIGN+List&amp;utm_campaign=4d68e4422d-52_Weeks_Week_11_5_2012&amp;utm_medium=email">One Little Word</a> class, taught by Ali Edwards, over at Big Picture Classes. &nbsp;I signed up a bit late, so I'm still getting my book started, but I think that the little exercises aimed at getting to know my word and making it part of my life will be perfect lessons for this year! &nbsp;I am excited at the idea of exploring my word a little bit each month! &nbsp;I promise to share what I'm "learning" about my word this year. &nbsp;I'd love to know what your word is for 2012 too! &nbsp;So leave me a comment &amp; we can chat! ;)<br /><br />I've also decided that I need to LEARN to knit this year! &nbsp;During January, I have been able to learn one stitch...the knit stitch. &nbsp;I'm not pushing myself and I'm not sure how far I will get on this journey this year, but I'll keep you updated!Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-41786265179703591782011-09-23T22:24:00.000-07:002011-10-25T11:30:06.316-07:00Layout of the Week: Halloween HeadstoneEven though it seems like summer only just arrived here in Oregon, the calendar says it's time to get ready for Fall!&nbsp; Never one to miss out on seasonal decorating, these extra large pennant banners just jumped right out at me during the EK Success Craft Fest this fall in Portland.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymm2882RwRM/Tn1iEzAXdzI/AAAAAAAAA74/05BNmRtoJOU/s1600/IMG_20110912_123800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymm2882RwRM/Tn1iEzAXdzI/AAAAAAAAA74/05BNmRtoJOU/s320/IMG_20110912_123800.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />These large arched chipboard pennants are 10" x 16" and when flipped upside down it just screamed Halloween headstone!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEWjB8D4tXc/Tn1iISTlpvI/AAAAAAAAA78/ObphpWvozb4/s1600/IMG_20110912_123833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEWjB8D4tXc/Tn1iISTlpvI/AAAAAAAAA78/ObphpWvozb4/s320/IMG_20110912_123833.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I gathered some fun Halloween papers &amp; embellishments, some new, some older...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0NIXcbfI5M/Tn1icdFLhUI/AAAAAAAAA8E/TQBAbQhFf9k/s1600/IMG_20110912_124007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0NIXcbfI5M/Tn1icdFLhUI/AAAAAAAAA8E/TQBAbQhFf9k/s320/IMG_20110912_124007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />I think I used all these papers, except the tiger stripe.&nbsp; After laying everything together and deciding which to use, it just didn't seem to fit into the look I was creating.&nbsp; For my first step, I used the Soot Ink Pad from Tim Holtz, rubbing it along the sides and over the enter front of my headstone.&nbsp; Then I cut strips of paper and attached them with spray adhesive, before adding some fun embellishments like self adhesive strips, ribbon, twine, a tag from 7 Gypsies, punched bats and a piece of jack-o-lantern flair.&nbsp; We're planning to use the Halloween Headstone as a fun place to attached little notes in our booth during this weekend's Scrapbook Expo.&nbsp; After the Expo, I'm&nbsp;planning to add some orange glittered THICKERS announcing Happy Halloween!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmFuYCzCdUY/Tn1mM7iRusI/AAAAAAAAA8I/58SxkA-b14Q/s1600/Halloween+Headstone+Decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmFuYCzCdUY/Tn1mM7iRusI/AAAAAAAAA8I/58SxkA-b14Q/s320/Halloween+Headstone+Decoration.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tips:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sand double layer cardstock, such as Core'dinates, to add a distressed look to your Halloween projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't be afraid to give your tags a distressed look too!&nbsp; Wad them up &amp; rub with ink to give them that "just found in the haunted house" look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trim your patterned papers and lay them over another coordinating pattern.&nbsp; This diamond pattern takes on a banner look when trimmed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Punch a strip with your favorite punch and mount it over a thick ribbon for a custom embellishment!&nbsp; The bats have also been sprayed with Luminarte black shimmer mist (difficult to see in the photo) for and added texture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Supplies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paper Accents</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tim Holtz Ink Pad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Papers-Teresa Collins, Authentique Paper, Core'dinates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Various Ribbon, Paper Twine &amp; Yarn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tag-7 Gypsies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spritz-Luminarte</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sticker Strips-K &amp; Co.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're looking for other creative Halloween inspired ideas, stop by <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/">Today's Creative Blog</a> for Get Your Craft On Tuesdays.&nbsp; 100's of creative types submit their creations each and every Tuesday, I'm sharing this project and I'd love to see yours over there too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-89981544572863714222011-06-06T22:52:00.000-07:002011-06-06T22:52:31.090-07:00Party Favors the Kids Can Make...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5e1HECyxm8/Te2wNNztR0I/AAAAAAAAA4s/ilNT6SHbHO4/s1600/DSC01647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5e1HECyxm8/Te2wNNztR0I/AAAAAAAAA4s/ilNT6SHbHO4/s320/DSC01647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're like me, you're getting tired of spending all the time and money to throw your kids wonderful birthday parties only to be left wondering what kind of fabulous gift you should spend even more money on to send home with each little party go'er...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, personally, I'm trying to move away from the party favor/gift bag craziness.&nbsp; Last year for Delaney's party, we had a great <a href="http://juliechats.blogspot.com/2010/07/diyat-home-summer-craft-for-kids.html">American Girl Craft Party</a> where the girls made their own favors as part of the party.&nbsp; And the year before that, we had a Tie Dye theme for Delaney's party where the girls tie dyed a shirt and wore it home as their favor.&nbsp; (Click <a href="http://juliechats.blogspot.com/2010/04/layout-of-week-friend-chipboard-mini.html">HERE</a> to see the mini album I made featuring all the fun of the Tie Dye party.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year, Delaney wanted to take three friends to dinner at Benihana and then back home for a sleepover.&nbsp; Since dinner was going to be pretty expensive, I wanted to do some cheap little favors for the girls.&nbsp; While I was thinking about my plan for the party, we got in some fun little tubes at the scrapbook store where I work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xx0auTczJnE/Te20JNNTsbI/AAAAAAAAA5E/XW9J4tBdYKU/s1600/DSC01648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xx0auTczJnE/Te20JNNTsbI/AAAAAAAAA5E/XW9J4tBdYKU/s320/DSC01648.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tubes are about $1 each at the store and are about 1 1/2" in diameter and 8" tall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BeZHDeB_4E0/Te20Gy0R-uI/AAAAAAAAA5A/khcKvAniTSY/s1600/DSC01646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BeZHDeB_4E0/Te20Gy0R-uI/AAAAAAAAA5A/khcKvAniTSY/s320/DSC01646.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We gathered our supplies. (Of course I used my new favorite Willow House piece, the <a href="http://julies.store.willowhouse.com/product.aspx?zpid=6199">Riverstone Tapas Set</a>...so useful, but I digress!)&nbsp; Delaney wanted some fun bright colors for the tubes, so she chose Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in the colors she wanted (frankly the most expensive part of this project, you could choose any little candies that fit in the tubes).&nbsp; Then we used some extra ribbons we had at home and a few little spools of $1 American Craft ribbon from the store.&nbsp; I punched the tags with my large tag punch and printed out some cute cupcakes from a the Crystal's&nbsp;{Playground} elements pack, a&nbsp;digi scrapping pack I got over at <a href="http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=flypage.pbv.tabs.tpl&amp;product_id=462&amp;category_id=34&amp;keyword=crystal+playground&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=49">JessicaSprague.com</a> (I made the invitations from this same kit, I'll share them soon.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once Delaney had all her supplies, I left her alone to make up the favors while I finished cleaning the house.&nbsp; I did have her let me know when she finished a step, so I could hurry in &amp; shoot a photo or two.&nbsp; Delaney's 10, but I definitely think that 7 or 8 year olds could do this project by themselves or as a fun activity during the party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In preparation, we cut the ribbons in about 4" pieces and wrote the girls' names on the tags.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then the fun began....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First Delaney filled the tubes with jelly beans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHl1AmKvSc/Te20QpO3y2I/AAAAAAAAA5M/JYuoS6wmeBY/s1600/DSC01650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHl1AmKvSc/Te20QpO3y2I/AAAAAAAAA5M/JYuoS6wmeBY/s320/DSC01650.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then she added the cap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vc5_Cqlvo/Te20LMnAr4I/AAAAAAAAA5I/cV6JtqQ_0lY/s1600/DSC01649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vc5_Cqlvo/Te20LMnAr4I/AAAAAAAAA5I/cV6JtqQ_0lY/s320/DSC01649.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, she tied a few ribbons around the tube, adding a tag to the top ribbon before tying it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P33G9JR58wo/Te20UrlI9sI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/rtF2r8W9Q_E/s1600/DSC01654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P33G9JR58wo/Te20UrlI9sI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/rtF2r8W9Q_E/s320/DSC01654.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a fun, simple &amp; inexpensive party favor!&nbsp; Give it a try for your next party...birthday, graduation, 4th of July, Halloween...the variations are only limited by your imagination!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPo4g9yLDa8/Te2wb29g48I/AAAAAAAAA48/fRTXBQFy5Do/s1600/DSC01656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPo4g9yLDa8/Te2wb29g48I/AAAAAAAAA48/fRTXBQFy5Do/s320/DSC01656.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dbyr_TXYqc/Te20XAfzQqI/AAAAAAAAA5U/uWM1rKvfQig/s1600/DSC01655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dbyr_TXYqc/Te20XAfzQqI/AAAAAAAAA5U/uWM1rKvfQig/s320/DSC01655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Birthday Girl had a great time with her friends &amp; everyone left with a sweet little memory of the party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember to join me over at Today's Creative for the "Get Your Craft On" link party every Tuesday!&nbsp; If I'm not posting, I'm over there hanging out seeing what the creative ladies are sharing every week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" title="Todays Creative Blog"><img alt="Todays Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" title="Todays Creative Blog" /></a>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-26038461846347404982011-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:002011-05-20T11:08:29.692-07:00Layout of the Week - Quick & Colorful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnbVAVQdD4Y/Tdany41dxJI/AAAAAAAAA4k/W_Rh0PBYC54/s1600/Four+Delaneys+Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnbVAVQdD4Y/Tdany41dxJI/AAAAAAAAA4k/W_Rh0PBYC54/s320/Four+Delaneys+Layout.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some projects are just for fun!&nbsp; This is one of them.&nbsp; I've always been wanting to try more of the fun tints on the <a href="http://www.costco.com/">Costco Photo Center website</a> and this seemed like a fun photo to use.&nbsp; I love the whimsical look of Andy Warhol's pop art and so does Delaney.&nbsp; She took an art class last year where she got to create some very cool pieces of pop art!&nbsp; Thanks to her, I have all sorts of fun, bright pieces around my home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since she turned 10 this Spring, I used this photo where a "10" appears to be coming out of her head...don't even remember where this was taken, but it's a fun photo!&nbsp; Then I used the tints in the editting menu on Costco's Photo Center website to change the colors, saving a copy of the original and then going back to the original and doing it all over again for each color.&nbsp; I printed each tint as wallets (you get 4 of the same photo, wallet size, for 39 cents...a GREAT deal, if you ask me!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, photos in hand, I headed to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/whimzeesscrapbookstudio">Whimzee's</a> to see what I could find.&nbsp; I knew that my layout needed to be a simple one, with simple papers &amp; embellishments.&nbsp; I started this project with my ribbon chosen...we needed a sample at the store using this fun white felt flower ribbon from Creative Cafe, so I started with a couple pieces of it.&nbsp; To add a little texture, I chose the white Bazzill dot paper with it's embossed texture.&nbsp; Finally to mix in just a bit of color, I used some KaiserCraft rhinestones in colors that matched as closely as possible to my tinted photos.&nbsp; I ended up with green, blue and red.&nbsp; I was hoping to find an orange or gold rhinestone to match my sepia photo, but we didn't have any at the store.&nbsp; So I used what I could find and spaced them out in the centers of the flowers with a few spaces in between.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a simple layout design, I decided to arrange my photos "Warhol Style" in a square (I know it's a rectangle, but square just sounds better.)&nbsp; I added a few rows of the ribbon and filled some of the flowers with the rhinestones &amp; I was finished.&nbsp; I love the look and the layout was super quick.&nbsp; It's a fun design to use with any photos you have.&nbsp; Just print out some wallets or crop your photos to wallet or small square size, grab your ribbon and you'll have a finished page!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know some of you purists will notice I don't have any journaling...but I don't think every photo or layout&nbsp;needs journaling.&nbsp; Sometimes just a photo or 4 photos tell the story!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have fun scrapping!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stop &amp; visit me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/JulieChats/210708155628637">Facebook</a>, where I'm putting together a new page for the JulieChats Blog!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Tips</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use a group of 4 small photos and some ribbon or paper strips to create a simple, quick layout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Try some tinted photos on your next project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't feel like you always have to use tons of printed paper or lot's of color, sometimes neutrals &amp; a little burst of color is all you need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And DON'T worry if you don't want to journal every page!!!&nbsp; It's YOUR page after all, there are no rules to scrapbooking!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Supplies</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bazzill Dot Paper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Creative Cafe Felt Ribbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">KaiserCraft Rhinstones</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Costco Tinted Wallet Photos﻿</div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-25587779963241170062011-05-16T14:23:00.000-07:002011-05-16T15:36:38.953-07:00Summer's Coming TablescapeI feel like I'm in the slow lane on the way to Summer...it's taking FOREVER for any Summer weather to arrive here in Oregon.&nbsp; So I've decided to turn up the heat and get creative.&nbsp; When the box arrived with my Villa Appetizer Tray, it was just the inspiration I needed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdgBc8CbW4s/TdGFyARxodI/AAAAAAAAA4I/wXU_GJ3Agxs/s1600/Villa+Appetizer+Tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdgBc8CbW4s/TdGFyARxodI/AAAAAAAAA4I/wXU_GJ3Agxs/s1600/Villa+Appetizer+Tray.jpg" /></a></div>I combined the tray with&nbsp;a couple of my other Villa pieces to create a light, Summery centerpiece that creates a peaceful feeling with natural, neutral pieces.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKWEeSXr32s/TdGGfJJhO0I/AAAAAAAAA4M/pBnbCUB2pyg/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKWEeSXr32s/TdGGfJJhO0I/AAAAAAAAA4M/pBnbCUB2pyg/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Left.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>By adding a piece of burlap as a table runner and tossing some shells in a pair of martini glasses, you can create a breezy summer look on your dining table or just a fun vignette on a side table.<br /><br />If you're decorating your dining table, you probably need more than just one small tray for your centerpiece.&nbsp; If you have two matching trays, great!&nbsp; Use the second to create this same look and you're ready to go.&nbsp; If you're like me and have just one tray, look through your dishes for two small ones that will give the other side of your tablescape a similar look, and use the same martini glasses and shells to finish the look.&nbsp; One side balances the other out, even though they are not exactly the same.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hN2jbqHUJPg/TdGIVH04OII/AAAAAAAAA4Q/WsJF226DkAs/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hN2jbqHUJPg/TdGIVH04OII/AAAAAAAAA4Q/WsJF226DkAs/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Right.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPJ_HIKbH6k/TdGIXpaykII/AAAAAAAAA4U/HvRjRqX1_84/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Sideview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPJ_HIKbH6k/TdGIXpaykII/AAAAAAAAA4U/HvRjRqX1_84/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Sideview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I used two salad plates for my grouping opposite the tray.&nbsp; For a nice balanced look on a medium size dinner table, place the tray grouping in the center of the table and one plate &amp; glass grouping on either side.&nbsp; These salad plate/martini glass pieces would be perfect as singles on small tables or in a row on your mantel. (Maybe I'll try this for my next mantelscape...hmmmm....)<br /><br />Now, if you're trying to fill a larger dining table, like I was, think of the tray grouping and the two salad plate groupings as the right &amp; left sides of your centerpiece.&nbsp; For the center, look for a larger basket, bowl or similar container.&nbsp; The exact size isn't nearly as important as the look of your container.&nbsp; If you have a piece that matches the other bases you are using in this arrangement, perfect!&nbsp; But it's fine if you don't, too!&nbsp; I didn't have a larger piece for the center of my tablescape, so I chose a large hammered bronze bowl as my center container.&nbsp; I think a large basket would look wonderful here also, in keeping with&nbsp;the neutral colorscheme.&nbsp; I used this <a href="http://julies.store.willowhouse.com/product.aspx?zpid=5680&amp;mode=review">Cyprus Footed Bowl</a> for my tablescape's center.&nbsp; And to add a little height to the center of my table, I added new favorite thing, the <a href="http://julies.store.willowhouse.com/Quickwatch.aspx?zpid=6195">Villa Pedestal</a>&nbsp;with some shells and a chunky summer potpourri surrounding it and a large shell sitting on a bronze candle stand to top it off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF5ee-MNdC4/TdGMnqfXOTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/nhJNA1jaOPE/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF5ee-MNdC4/TdGMnqfXOTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/nhJNA1jaOPE/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Center.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This center grouping can also stand on its own in the center of your table or on a side table.&nbsp; Combined together these smaller groupings created a beautiful centerpiece on a large dining table.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obFbPyjgkLg/TdGN8vxV7RI/AAAAAAAAA4c/8J1EFSaftAQ/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Verticle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obFbPyjgkLg/TdGN8vxV7RI/AAAAAAAAA4c/8J1EFSaftAQ/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Verticle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Remember some of my favorite tips for creating great centerpieces for your table:<br /><br />Find a color scheme that blends well with your room.<br /><br />Think of the scale of your&nbsp;room...use larger pieces in larger rooms or rooms with high ceilings and smaller pieces in smaller rooms.<br /><br />Use smaller, shorter items one the ends or around the edges of a larger center piece.&nbsp; Then place larger items, progressively toward the center.&nbsp; Picture creating centerpieces as creating a triangle or pyramid shape with the tallest items in the center.<br /><br />Think in 3's...groups of items in 3's (or any odd number) are most pleasing to the eye.&nbsp; For my Summer tablescape, I used 3 separate groupings...the Villa Tray serves as one, the Villa Salad Plates serve as another and the Cyprus Bowl serves as the third.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JHABanM1Wc/TdGQa17KoaI/AAAAAAAAA4g/w3VdDfVquBg/s1600/Summer+Tablescape+Toward+Window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JHABanM1Wc/TdGQa17KoaI/AAAAAAAAA4g/w3VdDfVquBg/s320/Summer+Tablescape+Toward+Window.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />If you're looking for fresh, summer look, think neutral and stop by your local craft store.&nbsp; Grab some of their economical burlap for a table runner and a few bags of their bargain shells to fill&nbsp;your containers.&nbsp; Look around your house for some neutral dishes and containers.&nbsp; White, ivory or brown would look great with this colorscheme.&nbsp; Also, a natural basket or two would mix in nicely.&nbsp; And instead of martini glasses, grab a few of your wine glasses to fill with shells.<br /><br />If you need some decorating advice...just ask!&nbsp; I love to help people organize and decorate their homes, just let me know what you'd like help with and I'll work on a post just for you.&nbsp; I hope you get a few minutes to take a break from all your work and create a more beautiful space in your&nbsp;home.<br /><br />Find most of the pieces I used in this tablescape over on my <a href="http://julies.willowhouse.com/">Willow House</a> page. I sell these beautiful home decor products and I also share them &amp; more decorating tips on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/willowhousejulie">Willow House Julie</a> page on Facebook. Stop by &amp; visit when you get a chance.<br /><br />And stop back here soon to see my next Layout of the Week project! Trying to decide which will be next...a Bella Blvd. project or one designed with Webster's Pages???? Hmmm..we'll see! :)<br /><br />Have you made something lately &amp; posted it to your blog?&nbsp; If you have,&nbsp; you should check out the creative links at Made You Monday over at Skip to My Lou....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Join me over at Kim's for THE BEST Linky Party on the web...Tuesday's Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog.&nbsp; You'll find all sorts of great crafting &amp; decorating projects, many with DIY tutorials.&nbsp; Be sure to leave Kim a comment to let you know what you think and tell her Julie sent you :)<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank" title="Get Your Craft On Tuesday"><img alt="Get Your Craft On Tuesday" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/get-your-craft-on-e1283276983713.gif" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-58475538670584293292011-05-02T23:35:00.000-07:002011-05-02T23:35:08.815-07:00Layout of the Week - featuring Bo Bunny's Ad Lib CollectionI'm on a streak right now...two Layout of the Week posts in a row!!&nbsp; This week, I'm featuring a layout I created with paper &amp; embellishments from Bo Bunny's Ad Lib Collection.&nbsp; This collection features some fun printed papers decorated with turquoise blue, creamy yellow, grass green &amp; a nice cantaloupe-y shade of orange.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHbnbCE9dPA/Tb-XfNn7MsI/AAAAAAAAA3E/oM9t3A5iJdE/s1600/Bo+Bunny+Ad+Lib+Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHbnbCE9dPA/Tb-XfNn7MsI/AAAAAAAAA3E/oM9t3A5iJdE/s320/Bo+Bunny+Ad+Lib+Layout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lately, I've been creating a lot of one-photo&nbsp;layouts and the paper I chose for my background here works perfectly with one photo.&nbsp; This photo is one of my favorites from last summer's trip to Seattle.&nbsp; Delaney took this self-portrait of us on the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry.&nbsp; I mounted it on Bo Bunny's Licorice Flourish paper from the Double Dot Collection.&nbsp; I trimmed the floral and dotted papers to use as embellishments.&nbsp; Next I used two 2" x 12" strips of the Turquoise Stripe paper, also from the Double Dot Collection.&nbsp; I punched one edge with a Wavy Dotted Scallop edge punch from EK Success.&nbsp; Then I put the strips through my paper crimper and folded it to look like a pleated ribbon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syZBqtuAiHg/Tb-XgegPxHI/AAAAAAAAA3I/NpEBmoik21Q/s1600/Bo+Bunny+Ad+Lib+Layout+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syZBqtuAiHg/Tb-XgegPxHI/AAAAAAAAA3I/NpEBmoik21Q/s320/Bo+Bunny+Ad+Lib+Layout+Detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />For a finishing touch, I added the Bo Bunny Ad Lib Trinkets to the upper left corner of the photo and a little fluffy orange yarn on each side.<br /><br /><strong>Tips</strong><br /><br />For extra embellishments on your layouts, trim out a few of the graphic elements.&nbsp; They add some texture to your layout and are very economical embellishments too!<br /><br />Dig out that old paper crimper &amp; use it to create a ribbon look with paper strips.&nbsp; To give your layout an up to the minute look, use an edge punch to help your paper ribbon stand out even more.<br /><br />And I know I've said this a million times, but use a black &amp; white photo!&nbsp; By printing in black &amp; white, you can make any one of your favorite photos match any one of your favorite paper collections!<br /><br /><strong>Supplies</strong><br /><br />Bo Bunny Ad Lib &amp; Double Dot Printed papers<br />Bo Bunny Ad Lib Trinket embellishments<br />Embroidery Floss and Yarn, vendor unknown<br /><br /><strong>Tools</strong><br /><br />Fiskars Paper Crimper<br />EK Success Punch<br /><br />Join me over at Today's Creative for the Get Your Craft On Tuesday Blog Hop!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank" title="Get Your Craft On Tuesday"><img alt="Get Your Craft On Tuesday" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/get-your-craft-on-e1283276983713.gif" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!&nbsp; I'd love to see what you think of my blog, so if you've got a sec, leave me a comment.&nbsp; And if you have another sec and are interested in decorating, stop by my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/willowhousejulie">Willow House Julie</a> page on Facebook &amp; click "LIKE" to get bargains &amp; decorating tips every day.&nbsp; Thanks so much!﻿</div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710576387678122299.post-10119570246719836152011-04-25T18:48:00.000-07:002011-04-25T18:48:13.074-07:00Layout of the Week - Easter 10 Minute Mini Album<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmzafI821BI/TbYieqFM04I/AAAAAAAAA28/G1fLW5K8GrY/s1600/DSC01626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmzafI821BI/TbYieqFM04I/AAAAAAAAA28/G1fLW5K8GrY/s320/DSC01626.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Wow, I can't believe I'm actually writing a post for a Layout of the Week! :)&nbsp; I know it's been a while!&nbsp; During the time I've been away, I've been very busy...working a few part time jobs, organizing &amp; rearranging things around my house, being a mom &amp; wife and also getting in a little creative time.<br /><br />I thought you might enjoy a quick idea using some of those photos you took this weekend of your Easter festivities.&nbsp; You can make this album as simple or fancy as you like!&nbsp; Use just the 10 minutes I allotted for my first album like this or go crazy with tons of photos &amp; embellishments and spend an evening creating a masterpiece to share with your friends.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j3BAVHqyK2s/TbYicHhm4WI/AAAAAAAAA24/dnDBgOB7eHU/s1600/DSC01620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j3BAVHqyK2s/TbYicHhm4WI/AAAAAAAAA24/dnDBgOB7eHU/s320/DSC01620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I created this fun mini album a month or so ago, and thought I'd better get on the stick and share it with you!&nbsp; To create this quick album, I used a template I designed a while back as a quick gift for my mom.&nbsp; For that album, I chose to use some scraps from a fall layout and the extra wallet photos that come with the Costco wallet sheet (they print 4 for 39 cents). Check it out on the blog I write for the store <a href="http://whimzeesgirlsonline.blogspot.com/2008/10/10-minute-mini-album-class.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVmFLB2sRwA/TbYigh5Qr9I/AAAAAAAAA3A/b-yYJJmRuQg/s1600/DSC01627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVmFLB2sRwA/TbYigh5Qr9I/AAAAAAAAA3A/b-yYJJmRuQg/s320/DSC01627.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This time, the paper was my inspiration! I chose two papers from <a href="http://www.weronthenet.com/peep">WeR's Peep Collection</a>, the Easter Tags &amp; the Easter Eggs.&nbsp; All you need to create one of these small albums is a few wallet or trimmed down photos (all the same size), a piece of paper just a bit larger than each photo (I used a 1/4" border around all the edges) - plus one for the cover, a hinged ring and a few embellishments.&nbsp; Mount each photo on paper and punch a hole in the corner with a regular round hole punch.&nbsp; If you have some fun small coordinating embellishments, use them to add a little flair to a page or two of&nbsp;your album.&nbsp; Stack all your pages with the cover on top and place them on the ring and close it.&nbsp; Embellish your ring with a few small pieces of ribbon, if you like.<br /><br />As always, I'm linking my creative post to the Get Your Craft On Tuesday post over at Today's Creative!&nbsp; DON'T miss all the great links over there!&nbsp; And remember to add yours!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank" title="Get Your Craft On Tuesday"><img alt="Get Your Craft On Tuesday" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/get-your-craft-on-e1283276983713.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Julie from JulieChatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173622991637299103noreply@blogger.com1